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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| UN May Stop N.Korea Accessing Overseas Assets |
| 2009-05-30 |
| The UN Security Council is weighing several options before punishing North Korea for its latest nuclear defiance. One of the penalties the five permanent veto-wielding countries on the council along with South Korea and Japan are said to be discussing is a financial sanction. Reports from the UN headquarters in New York indicate that all seven countries are considering banning North Korea from accessing overseas bank accounts and freezing those opened by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's family. The Kims reportedly have several accounts with banks in Europe and the Middle East. On Tuesday the United States' Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice said the concerned parties "are in agreement on the goals of a resolution" and that Pyongyang will be "dealt with directly and seriously." Washington's top diplomat Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reiterated on Wednesday that consequences will surely follow North Korea's latest behavior but added that she was hopeful about resuming nuclear dialogue. The UN Security Council is also said to be reviewing other punishments, such as halting or drastically cutting foreign investment in North Korea, particularly that made by South Korea and China. The council may also decide to beef up inspections on ships going into and coming out of North Korea. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #2 All $6M worth? Now that's tough! |
| Posted by: gorb 2009-05-30 02:15 |
| #1 UN May fixed... |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2009-05-30 00:48 |