UN Poised to Adopt New Sanctions on N.Korea

The UN Security Council is expected to adopt a resolution in a few of days imposing new sanctions on North Korea in response to Pyongyang's fifth nuclear test.

Its five permanent members have tentatively agreed on a draft of the resolution and could make a final decision at a closed-door meeting on Monday.

Following Security Council approval, the resolution would be put to a vote by the full UN General Assembly, likely on Tuesday or Wednesday. Building on existing sanctions, the new measures would further cut the regime's annual revenue by almost $700 million (US$1=W1,177). Specifically, they would target North Korea's coal exports to China, as well as its maritime and financial sectors.

The resolution also seeks to freeze the assets of North Korean individuals and institutions with links to Pyongyang's weapons programs.