DTN News: North Korea Responds To UN Sanctions With Threats

DTN News: North Korea Responds To UN Sanctions With Threats *Sources: VOA News, Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters. (NSI News Source Info) UNITED NATIONS, New York - June 13, 2009: North Korea threatened Saturday to take military action if the United States or its allies try to enforce a blockade imposed Friday by the United Nations Security Council.The United Nations Security Council unanimously votes to adopt a resolution that expands financial sanctions and the U.N. trade embargo on North Korea during a meeting of the Council at the U.N. headquarters in New York June 12, 2009. The sanctions resolution bans all weapons exports from North Korea and most arms imports into the communist state. It authorizes U.N. member states to inspect North Korean sea, air and land cargo, requiring them to seize and destroy any goods transported in violation of the sanctions.

The North's official Korean Central News Agency quotes its Foreign Ministry as saying it will begin a uranium enrichment program and weaponize all the plutonium in its possession. The ministry says it will not abandon its nuclear program, adding that it has already reprocessed a third of its used fuel rods.

The threats come a day after the U.N. Security Council expanded sanctions against North Korea in response to the country's nuclear weapon and missile tests last month.

The 15-member body voted unanimously Friday to approve a resolution condemning North Korea's tests. In addition, news reports in Tokyo Saturday said Japan plans to announce, as early as Tuesday, sanctions that include a total ban on trade with North Korea.Under the increased sanctions, U.N. member states have the authority to inspect all cargo heading to or from North Korea and suspected of containing material related to the country's nuclear and missile programs. The resolution also bans weapons exports from the country and tightens financial restrictions.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the council vote, saying that the sanctions send a "clear and strong message" to North Korea.

In a statement issued Friday, Mr. Ban said the U.N. will spare no effort in facilitating the implementation of the resolution.U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Susan Rice, praised the new sanctions, calling them tough and saying the resolution is unprecedented.

She said it would not be a surprise if North Korea reacts with what she described as "further provocation."Both China and Russia, Pyongyang's allies, backed the measure. The U.S. envoy on North Korea, Stephen Bosworth, has said there is hope for a diplomatic solution with the communist state, but also cautioned that Washington is looking at additional measures against North Korea if it does not reverse its course.

North Korea claims that its recent action is a response to hostile U.S. policies. But Bosworth says the United States has no intention of invading North Korea or using force to change its government.

North Korea conducted an underground nuclear test on May 25. The blast was the largest explosion the country has ever carried out, and was followed by missile test launches.