(VOVworld) – The UN Security Council decided on Wednesday to toughen sanctions against North Korea in response to its 4^th nuclear test in January and a long-range rocket launch in February.

A passenger walks past a TV screen broadcasting a news report on North Korea's long range rocket launch at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo: Reuters)

According to a US-proposed resolution, for the first time in history all cargo going in and out of North Korea will be inspected. The resolution bans Korean ships believed to be engaged in illicit activities from setting sail and blocks weapons trade.
It also bans North Korea’s exports of coal, iron, gold, titanium, and rare earth and other countries’ provision of aviation fuel to North Korea. In the financial and banking sector, countries are required to freeze the assets of companies and other entities linked to Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs.
The resolution also prohibits all countries from opening new branches, subsidiaries, or representative offices of North Korean banks, and bans financial institutions from establishing new joint ventures or establishing or maintaining correspondent relationships with these banks.   

The US, the UK, and South Korea welcomed this latest move by the UN Security Council. US President Barack Obama called the passage of the resolution “a strong message to Pyongyang” to abandon its nuclear programs and choose a better path for its people. He hailed the resolution as a "a firm, united, and appropriate response" by the international community.
UK Foreign Minister Philip Hammond spoke highly of tough measures against North Korea. South Korea called the new sanctions the toughest ever against North Korea and voiced its support for the new resolution.

On Thursday, Yonhap news reported that South Korea had fired several short-range missiles.