UNSC for tougher sanctions against N Korea

After two weeks of tough negotiations, the five permanent members of the Security Council have agreed on a draft resolution to impose tough new sanctions against North Korea for its second nuclear test, diplomats said.

The resolution, which could go to vote as early as Thursday, puts Pyongyang on notice in no uncertain terms that even its friends like China and Russia do not approve of its continued nuclear ambition and would like to put a stop to it.

The new resolution will include possible inspections of the North Korea's cargo vessels on high seas. In addition, it may expand an arms embargo against North Korea, seek to curtail the North's financial dealings with the outside world, and freeze assets of the communist nation's companies.

"It is important for there to be consequences and this sanctions regime, if passed by the Security Council, will bite and bite in a meaningful way," US Ambassador to the UN Susan E Rice said.

However, past sanctions have met with little success in convincing North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

The resolution, which is expected to pass without any difficulty given that it enjoys the support of the major member nations, including South Korea and Japan, condemns the underground nuclear test conducted by North Korea on May 25.