U.N. sanctions North Korea
Sun Oct 15, 2006 5:21am ET
By Linda Sieg
TOKYO (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously to impose financial and weapons sanctions on North Korea for its claimed nuclear test in a resolution that Pyongyang's envoy swiftly rejected as "gangster-like".
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe immediately said Tokyo would consider further punitive steps against the reclusive communist state, while a top Russian envoy was to arrive in Seoul on Sunday for talks.
U.S Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was also set to visit Japan, South Korea and China later in the week to discuss enforcing the provisions in the U.S.-drafted resolution.
The resolution, which called Pyongyang's action a "clear threat to international peace and security", allows nations to stop cargo going to and from North Korea to check for weapons of mass destruction or related supplies.
The resolution bars trade with North Korea in dangerous weapons. It also impose bans on heavy conventional weapons and luxury goods and asks nations to freeze funds connected with North Korea's non-conventional arms programs.
North Korea's U.N. ambassador, Pak Gil Yon, walked out of the security council meeting after accusing members of "gangster-like" action and warning that Pyongyang considered any further U.S. pressure a "declaration of war".
North Korea has issued similar statements before, but this time it was before a formal audience.
President Bush said the resolution showed "the world is united in our opposition to its nuclear weapons plans" and Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Aso said North Korea had to "take concrete measures to resolve the issue".