Security Council unanimously adopts resolution sanctioning N.K. for nuke test

The 15-member United Nations Security Council on Saturday unanimously adopted a resolution sanctioning North Korea for its proclaimed nuclear weapon test earlier this week.

But just minutes after the passage, North Korea's envoy to the U.N. said his government "totally rejects" the resolution and accused the 15-member Security Council of completely losing its impartiality.

Just after voting for the resolution, Chinese Ambassador Wang Guangya told reporters Beijing will not take part in searches of North Korean cargo, a key part of the resolution aimed at interdicting transfer of Pyongyang's missiles and nuclear weapons.

Such inspections are similar to those under the U.S.-led Proliferation Security Initiative, which Wang said China sees as politically problematic.

"China strongly urges countries concerned to adopt a prudent and responsible attitude in this regard and refrain from taking any provocative steps that may intensify tension," the Chinese diplomat said.

U.S. Ambassador John Bolton, asked about Wang's comments, emphasized China did agree to the resolution that authorized the cargo inspections.

U.S. President George W. Bush welcomed the resolution as "swift and tough," saying it showed the world that "we are united in our determination" to keep the Korean Peninsula nuclear-free.

Resolution 1718 condemns North Korea's nuclear test as a "clear threat" to international peace and invokes non-military sanctions on the communist regime to prevent transfers of material, technology and funds related to missiles, nuclear arms, and other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in and out of the country.

It also "calls upon" the 192 U.N. member states to authorize stops and searches of North Korean cargo ships "as necessary" to interdict imports and exports of WMD. The initial draft said the U.N. members "shall" take cooperative action for such inspections.

The resolution does refer to Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which allows use of force, but reflects Chinese and Russian demands and limits its application to non-military actions, such as complete or partial interruption of economic relations and means of communication and severance of diplomatic relations.

Any further steps would require additional decisions," the resolution says.

China and Russia, staunch allies of North Korea, had raised last-minute objections to the U.S.-proposed draft but agreed to the resolution at an earlier session in which the United States made "technical changes."

Russia is also said to have amended the list of items banned from trade with North Korea.

The resolution prohibits trade of heavy weapons, such as tanks, armored combat vehicles, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, missiles or missile systems.

It also bans exports of luxury goods to North Korea, a measure Bolton previously described as a "diet" for North Korean leader Kim Jong-il who is known for his lavish lifestyle.

The resolution also imposed a travel ban on individuals and their families who support or promote North Korea's WMD programs.

A Security Council sanctions committee will make and update the list of banned goods and individuals.

On Sunday, South Korea and Japan welcomed the U.N. Security Council's adoption of the resolution.

"The (South Korean) government supports the resolution and will take appropriate measures in line with the resolution," Foreign Ministry spokesman Choo Kyu-ho told Yonhap News Agency by phone.

The South Korean government is expected to issue an official statement on the resolution later in the day.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said in a statement, "Japan strongly urges North Korea to implement this resolution in good faith and intends to exert utmost efforts, in cooperation with other countries, in steadily implementing the resolution."

New York, Oct. 14 (Yonhap News)