Russia Blocks Resolution on Imposing Sanctions on NK

The U.N. Security Council seemed close to reaching an agreement on imposing sanctions on North Korea yesterday but was delayed after Russia raised new concerns.

Along with South Korea and Japan, the five permanent members of the Security Council -- the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia -- held a meeting on the draft text of a resolution on the sanctions Tuesday.

As major world powers reached agreement on the most sensitive issue of ship inspections, passage of the resolution seemed imminent. A high-ranking U.N. official said, however, “We’ve got the makings of a deal, but one delegation still needs to hear back from its capital.”

He added they would reach a final agreement early Thursday morning.

Sources close to the talks said Russia unexpectedly raised concerns over the draft resolution that urges North Korea to test fire nothing using ballistic missile technology.

South Korean Ambassador to the United Nations Park In-kook told South Korean journalists, “We’ve made considerable progress. A lot of issues have been dealt with. Delegations will have another meeting Wednesday after hearing back from their own governments.”

The draft of the new resolution requires U.N. member states to inspect suspicious sea cargo to and from North Korea under agreement with the state to which the ship belongs; ban all financial services that could help programs or activities related to North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction; and prevent Pyongyang from exporting any arms except for small weapons and light firearms.

U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718 had simply prevented the North from exporting weapons of mass destruction.