The United Nations Security Council adopted strict new sanctions against the North Korean government on Monday; raising the stakes as Kim Jong Un warned the United States of “unbearable consequences” over the punishing resolution.
According to the Associated Press, the sanctions ban the communist nation from importing specific types of natural gas and bars the regime from exporting goods and workers to foreign trade partners; a major blow to the North Korean economy.
US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley praised the sanctions, saying, “These are by far the strongest measures ever imposed on North Korea,” but warned “these steps only work if all nations implement them completely and aggressively.”
“Today we are saying the world will never accept a nuclear armed North Korea […] We are done trying to prod the regime to do the right thing,” she added.
“If it agrees to stop its nuclear program it can reclaim its future. If it proves it can live in peace, the world will live in peace with it. … If North Korea continues its dangerous path, we will continue with further pressure,” said Haley.
“Hostile sanctions are like a delusion tantamount to expecting foolishly that the ocean would dry up,” said a North Korea official, adding the United States should expect “a very strong response, with unbearable consequences.”