AFP, Washington :The UN Security Council on Wednesday strongly condemned North Korea’s latest attempted missile launches and urged world governments to ramp up efforts to impose sanctions on Pyongyang.The council unanimously backed a US-drafted statement that demanded that North Korea “refrain from further actions, including nuclear tests,” which are in violation of UN resolutions.French Ambassador Francois Delattre, who holds the council presidency this month, described the statement as a “firm and clear response from the Security Council” to North Korea’s latest actions.Council members “strongly condemned” a series of failed missile launches on Tuesday and on April 27 and 28, which are in “grave violation” of North Korea’s international obligations, said the text.China, Pyongyang’s sole ally, and Russia supported the statement that calls on UN member states to “redouble efforts to implement fully the measures imposed” on North Korea.The council has adopted the toughest sanctions to date on North Korea after it carried out its fourth nuclear test in January and a rocket launch that was widely seen as a disguised ballistic missile test.Among the sweeping measures is a new requirement that all countries must inspect cargo destined for and coming from North Korea, in all airports and sea ports.The resolution bans or restricts exports of coal, iron, iron ore and other minerals from North Korea, and prohibits the supply of aviation fuel including rocket fuel.
