TOKYO (AP) - The latest on the U.N. Security Council’s latest sanctions in response to North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs (all times local):
7 p.m.:
North Korea’s top envoy to a leading U.N. disarmament body says his country “categorically” rejects a U.N. Security Council resolution imposing new sanctions over its nuclear and missile programs.
Ambassador Han Tae Song also lashed out at the United States during a plenary session of the U.N.’s Conference on Disarmament, saying North Korea denounces Washington’s “evil intention” and would “make sure the U.S. pays a due price.”
The comments Tuesday came as North Korea faced renewed criticism at the Geneva-based body of its recent ballistic missile and nuclear weapons tests. Peru’s envoy, Maria Antonia Masana Garcia, said North Korea’s ambassador to her country would be considered persona non grata.
U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood hailed the Security Council sanctions imposed Monday, saying “the international community will never accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons state.”
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2 p.m.:
North Korea will be feeling the pain of new United Nations sanctions targeting some of its biggest remaining foreign revenue streams. But the Security Council eased off the biggest target of all: the oil the North needs to stay alive, and to fuel its million-man military.
Though the United States had proposed a complete ban, the sanctions by the U.N. Security Council to punish North Korea for its sixth nuclear test cap Pyongyang’s annual imports of crude oil at the same level they have been for the past 12 months: an estimated 4 million barrels.
The import of refined petroleum products is also limited. Some experts, however, doubt the oil and fuel component on the sanctions will have much impact.
The measures were approved unanimously on Monday.
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