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Foreign Office welcomes additional UN sanctions on North Korea

FCO Minister Hugo Swire warns that North Korea’s development of nuclear and ballistic weapons poses a real threat to international security.

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Commenting today, Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire said:

The UK welcomes the resolution adopted today by the UN Security Council in response to North Korea’s nuclear test on 12 February 2013. The unanimous adoption of this Resolution, which we co-sponsored, demonstrates that the international community is united in its condemnation of North Korea’s illegal and provocative actions. This Resolution expands the scope of existing sanctions on North Korea and includes tough new measures which will make it harder for it to pursue its illicit proliferation activities. It makes clear to North Korea that there are consequences for its ongoing disregard for international law.

North Korea’s development of its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes poses a real and increasing threat to regional and international peace and security. As we have repeatedly made clear, if North Korea continues its flagrant violation of UN Security Council resolutions it will face an increasingly tough international response. We have shown that we are united in our resolve to respond to these provocative acts, and North Korea now faces a stark choice: continue with its nuclear programme, which will only lead to further isolation, or take tangible steps towards constructive engagement with the international community.

Further Information

The UN Security Council Resolution will be available on the UNSC website

The Foreign Secretary condemned North Korean nuclear test in February

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Published 7 March 2013