United Nations Security Council To Increase Sanctions On North Korea After It Reportedly Performed A Hydrogen Bomb Test
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemned North Korea for reportedly conducting a Hydrogen bomb test Wednesday. The former plans to increase sanctions against the country for the said act.
"The members of the Security Council strongly condemned this test," the council said in a dispatch as per Korea Times Thursday. "The test is a clear violation of Security Council resolutions and a clear threat to international peace and security."
"The members of the Security Council also recalled that they have previously expressed their determination to take 'further significant measures' in the event of another DPRK nuclear test."
The statement continued, "In line with this commitment and the gravity of this violation, the members of the Security Council will begin to work immediately on such measures in a new Security Council resolution."
Added sanctions are forecasted to enforce a wider range of constraints as compared to the recent sanctions imposed on North Korea.
Meanwhile, UN Security Council Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon branded North Korea's act as "deeply troubling" and "profoundly destabilizing for regional security," as noted by ABC News Wednesday.
Ban said North Korea's act was "a grave contravention of the international norm against nuclear testing."
"I demand the DPRK [North Korea] to cease any further nuclear activities and meet its obligations for verifiable de-nuclearisation," he added.
Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the act should be considered significant no matter what device was detonated.
"The fact is that a significant device was detonated, comparable to an earthquake of about five on the Richter scale," she said.
"It will have an impact if all nations impose the sanctions, and the relationship with China can't be an excuse for North Korea's behavior to continue."
She went on, "I believe that China will be a key to ensuring that the sanction is imposed... China is clearly frustrated with North Korea's behavior."