By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
The new resolution from the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) ― expected to be adopted soon ― contains stronger measures against North Korea than the previous one in 2006, according to observers Thursday.
A day earlier, seven key players from the U.N. agreed on a draft of new sanctions against the Stalinist state for its underground nuclear test and missile launches last month.
``By and large, it is considered stronger than Resolution 1718,'' said Prof. Yun Duk-min of the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security in southern Seoul.
He continued, ``It is a binding resolution for all countries and thus, its effectiveness hinges on how sincerely they abide by the measures.''
An expert in inter-Korean affairs, on the other hand, said the actions might not work.
``North Korea actually doesn't belong to the international community, so the resolution may not be effective,'' said Professor Yang Moo-jin at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.
``Besides, if an atmosphere for negotiations is fostered, the sanctions could remain as a mere formal action,'' he added.
The international organization presented the new sanctions, which await final approval from its five permanent member states ― the United States, China, Russia the United Kingdom and France.
In condemning Pyongyang's antics, the U.N. body has sought to increase existing sanctions while adding some new provisions aimed at stopping the Stalinist state's nuclear activities.
Among the stronger sanctions is a total embargo on the export of arms to and from North Korea.
``These arms exports have been a significant source of revenue over the years for North Korea, and we think its important that source of revenue be entirely curtailed,'' said U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice.
The earlier resolution adopted right after North Korea's first nuclear test restricted the flows of conventional arms only.
The new draft also seeks strengthened inspections of North Korean vessels suspected of carrying weapons of mass destruction and related materials.
Resolution 1718 sought for cooperative action only but the new resolution calls on countries to search all vessels to and from North Korea, if it is believed they contain prohibited items.
Financial sanctions also increased in the draft to stipulate the freezing of assets and finances which can pay for the spread of weapons of mass destruction and missile programs.
``This sanctions regime, if passed will bite, and bite in a meaningful way,'' Ambassador Rice said.
The draft is expected to be adopted early Saturday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young said.