04 October, 2015
A South Korean official says the United Nations may consider new actions against North Korea if the country fires a long-range missile. He said the possible actions include expanding a ban on the export of luxury goods and strategic materials to North Korea.
North Korea has recently made threats that suggest a possible rocket launch and nuclear test. North Korea said it could launch a long-range rocket to mark the 70th anniversary of the creation of the ruling Workers Party on October 10th. The country is also expected to show off its military in a huge parade.
Oh Joon is South Korea's ambassador to the United Nations. He warned that North Korea's action would lead to discussion by the U.N. Security Council of possible sanctions against the country.
"The existing measure bans the export of some luxury items and strategic materials to North Korea. The scope of the sanctions could be expanded," he told VOA.
A 2013 Security Council resolution barred the movement of luxury goods into North Korea. The banned products included high-priced automobiles, racing cars and some pieces of jewelry. The measure also banned the transfer of any items that could help North Korea develop missiles or nuclear weapons.
Mr. Oh's comments suggest that additional sanctions are likely to target North Korea's rich and powerful rulers.
Late last month, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said sanctions against North Korea "seek to impose consequences on the DPRK regime, not on the North Korean people."
This week, North Korea's ambassador to Britain dismissed international criticism of his country's plan to launch a rocket. He called it "the legitimate right of a sovereign state to develop a space program."
U.N. Security Council resolutions ban North Korea from conducting any launches using ballistic missile technology.
I'm Marsha James.
Baik Sungwon reported this story from New York. Ashley Thompson adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.
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Words in This Story
luxury – n. something that is expensive and not necessary
strategic – adj. useful or important in achieving a plan
sanctions – n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country, etc. - usually plural
scope – n. the area that is included in or dealt with by something
consequences – n. something that happens as a result of a particular action or set of conditions
conduct(ing) – v. to plan and do (something, such as an activity)
ballistic missile – n. a weapon that is shot through the sky over a great distance and then falls to the ground and explodes