The new ban would target about $1 billion of North Korean exports, according to one of the UN diplomats, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential negotiations. Sanctions against North Korea require China’s agreement because it is the isolated country’s biggest trading partner by far. China’s decision this year to place a temporary halt on coal imports from North Korea — even as exports rose -- appeared to have little impact beyond highlighting the limits of Beijing’s influence over its neighbour. “Sanctions alone will never solve this situation,” said Carl Skau, Sweden’s deputy ambassador who had seen a copy of the draft resolution. They also urged North Korea to fully comply with UN Security Council resolutions, and reiterated support for the “complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner.” Bloomberg

Source: Mint August 05, 2017 10:41 UTC