UN Security Council unanimously agrees to step up sanctions against North Korea

The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a US‑drafted resolution to impose new sanctions on North Korea ‑ a move that comes just one week after the rogue nation carried out its sixth and largest nuclear test.

The resolution is designed to accomplish six major goals: cap North Korea's oil imports, ban textile exports, end additional overseas laborer contracts, suppress smuggling efforts, stop joint ventures with other nations and sanction designated North Korean government entities.

Today, the US put forward another draft that removed the full oil embargo, asset freeze, travel ban for Kim and softened the language on foreign workers and other issues.

Russia and China both have veto power as permanent members of the Security Council and had expressed skepticism over the initial sanctions proposal.

News agency report that the sanctions had been softened to appease China and Russia, citing diplomats.

Ahead of the vote, North Korea warned the United States that it would pay a "due price" if harsh sanctions were passed by the Security Council.

Source: CNN