Cardin Statement on United Nations Security Council Resolution Strengthening Sanctions on North Korea

BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, issued the following statement after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) voted on a new resolution to impose additional sanction on North Korea following its two recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests.

"Today's UN Security Council resolution sends an important signal to North Korea that if it continues down its provocative pathway of nuclear and ballistic missile proliferation that it will not and can not achieve its goals. The additional financial and sectorial sanctions, including on coal and iron and the use of North Korean forced labor by other nations to generate revenue, as well as the additional attention to the regime's abhorrent human rights practices, demonstrate the commitment of the international community to sharpen the choices that Pyongyang faces.

"I have long advocated for additional pressure to be married wth additional engagement, and in light of this new UNSC action it is my hope that North Korea will take serious and credible steps to freeze its nuclear and missile programs and enter a consequential diplomatic process. Time is running out. 

"I congratulate Ambassador Haley on her hard work on this Resolution, and urge that all nations, particularly China and Russia, move forward with complete and robust implementation."

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