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| U.N. Resolution to Aim at North Korean Banks and Diplomats | U.N. Resolution to Aim at North Korean Banks and Diplomats |
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| Bolstered by support from China, the United States introduced a draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday that would expand and intensify sanctions on North Korea because of its nuclear test last month, targeting North Korean banking transactions and what the American ambassador called illicit activities by North Korean diplomats. | Bolstered by support from China, the United States introduced a draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday that would expand and intensify sanctions on North Korea because of its nuclear test last month, targeting North Korean banking transactions and what the American ambassador called illicit activities by North Korean diplomats. |
| The resolution — the fourth against North Korea — drew a furious reaction from that isolated country even before it was formally distributed among the 15 Security Council members. The move followed three weeks of delicate back-and-forth negotiations between the United States, the resolution’s principal sponsor, and China, North Korea’s major benefactor, which has nevertheless grown increasingly impatient with the North’s nuclear activities. | The resolution — the fourth against North Korea — drew a furious reaction from that isolated country even before it was formally distributed among the 15 Security Council members. The move followed three weeks of delicate back-and-forth negotiations between the United States, the resolution’s principal sponsor, and China, North Korea’s major benefactor, which has nevertheless grown increasingly impatient with the North’s nuclear activities. |
| “North Korea will be subject to some of the toughest sanctions imposed by the United Nations,” the American ambassador, Susan E. Rice, told reporters on Tuesday. She said the scope of the sanctions, aimed at denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, “is exceptional and demonstrates the strength of the international community’s commitment.” | “North Korea will be subject to some of the toughest sanctions imposed by the United Nations,” the American ambassador, Susan E. Rice, told reporters on Tuesday. She said the scope of the sanctions, aimed at denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, “is exceptional and demonstrates the strength of the international community’s commitment.” |
| The resolution will punish “the illicit activities of North Korean diplomatic personnel, North Korean banking relationships, illicit transfers of bulk cash,” she said. | The resolution will punish “the illicit activities of North Korean diplomatic personnel, North Korean banking relationships, illicit transfers of bulk cash,” she said. |
| The full text of the draft was not made immediately available outside the council. But a Security Council diplomat familiar with the text, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the language may still be subject to some revision, said it breaks “new ground” with restrictions and prohibitions on North Korean banking financial transactions, new travel restrictions and increased scrutiny of North Korean ship and air cargo. The diplomat also said the resolution adds a special lubricant and valve, needed for uranium enrichment, to a list of items that North Korea cannot legally import. | The full text of the draft was not made immediately available outside the council. But a Security Council diplomat familiar with the text, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the language may still be subject to some revision, said it breaks “new ground” with restrictions and prohibitions on North Korean banking financial transactions, new travel restrictions and increased scrutiny of North Korean ship and air cargo. The diplomat also said the resolution adds a special lubricant and valve, needed for uranium enrichment, to a list of items that North Korea cannot legally import. |
| The resolution would also place greater scrutiny on North Korean diplomatic personnel who are suspected of carrying proscribed goods and cash under the guise of official business, exposing them to possible expulsion from host countries. “We know there are diplomats out there cooking up deals and moving funds around,” he said. | The resolution would also place greater scrutiny on North Korean diplomatic personnel who are suspected of carrying proscribed goods and cash under the guise of official business, exposing them to possible expulsion from host countries. “We know there are diplomats out there cooking up deals and moving funds around,” he said. |
| Reuters quoted the Chinese ambassador, Li Baodong, as saying the council intended to vote on the resolution on Thursday. Given China’s support, passage is likely. | |
| “A strong signal must be sent out that a nuclear test is against the will of the international community,” Mr. Li was quoted by Reuters as saying. | “A strong signal must be sent out that a nuclear test is against the will of the international community,” Mr. Li was quoted by Reuters as saying. |
| Earlier Tuesday as word spread that a resolution was moving forward, North Korea vowed to cut off the hot line with the United States military in South Korea, saying it considered the 1953 truce that halted the Korean War null and void, and threatened to strike the United States with “lighter and smaller nukes.” | Earlier Tuesday as word spread that a resolution was moving forward, North Korea vowed to cut off the hot line with the United States military in South Korea, saying it considered the 1953 truce that halted the Korean War null and void, and threatened to strike the United States with “lighter and smaller nukes.” |
| The North Koreans have vowed many times before to retaliate for sanctions, however, and their latest admonitions, distributed via the official Korean Central News Agency, were largely seen as bluster. | The North Koreans have vowed many times before to retaliate for sanctions, however, and their latest admonitions, distributed via the official Korean Central News Agency, were largely seen as bluster. |
| While embracing the sanctions efforts, the Chinese, North Korea’s main ally, did not go as far as the United States would have liked, diplomats said. | While embracing the sanctions efforts, the Chinese, North Korea’s main ally, did not go as far as the United States would have liked, diplomats said. |
| The support of China, with its Security Council veto power and economic ties to North Korea, was considered vital in building international support for actions against North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. China provides all of North Korea’s fuel and remains its biggest trading partner, but analysts believe that its influence on North Korea is nevertheless limited. | The support of China, with its Security Council veto power and economic ties to North Korea, was considered vital in building international support for actions against North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. China provides all of North Korea’s fuel and remains its biggest trading partner, but analysts believe that its influence on North Korea is nevertheless limited. |
| The sanctions, if approved, would be the latest United Nations action in response to North Korea’s weapons development. After the Security Council approved a round of sanctions in January, acting after a North Korean rocket launch the month before, an increasingly belligerent North Korea threatened both the United States and South Korea militarily, and just weeks later detonated its third nuclear device. | The sanctions, if approved, would be the latest United Nations action in response to North Korea’s weapons development. After the Security Council approved a round of sanctions in January, acting after a North Korean rocket launch the month before, an increasingly belligerent North Korea threatened both the United States and South Korea militarily, and just weeks later detonated its third nuclear device. |
| Previous rounds of sanctions have tried to curtail North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile ambitions by blacklisting trading and financial firms believed to be involved with such programs. The sanctions have also restricted the importation of luxury goods, an effort directed at the country’s ruling elite. | Previous rounds of sanctions have tried to curtail North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile ambitions by blacklisting trading and financial firms believed to be involved with such programs. The sanctions have also restricted the importation of luxury goods, an effort directed at the country’s ruling elite. |
| Diplomats have said that future rounds of sanctions could expand the number of entities that come under the sanctions umbrella and heighten enforcement, perhaps even through cargo inspections. | Diplomats have said that future rounds of sanctions could expand the number of entities that come under the sanctions umbrella and heighten enforcement, perhaps even through cargo inspections. |
| Russia signaled it would support the latest sanctions effort. Gennady Gatilov, a Russian deputy foreign minister, said that Russia could support sanctions that solely target North Korea’s advanced weapons systems. | Russia signaled it would support the latest sanctions effort. Gennady Gatilov, a Russian deputy foreign minister, said that Russia could support sanctions that solely target North Korea’s advanced weapons systems. |
| “It will be acceptable to us if the restrictive measures do not go beyond the boundaries of missile and nuclear issues,” he was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying. | “It will be acceptable to us if the restrictive measures do not go beyond the boundaries of missile and nuclear issues,” he was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying. |
Rick Gladstone reported from New York, and Gerry Mullany from Hong Kong. Jane Perlez contributed reporting from Beijing and Choe Sang-Hun from Seoul, South Korea. | Rick Gladstone reported from New York, and Gerry Mullany from Hong Kong. Jane Perlez contributed reporting from Beijing and Choe Sang-Hun from Seoul, South Korea. |