Proposed sanctions on North Korea a ‘major upgrade’: US

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power talks to the media as she arrives for United Nations Security Council consultations, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016. A U.N. resolution proposed against North Korea after its recent nuclear test and rocket launch will affect exchanges with its traditional ally China, that country’s top diplomat said Thursday.

The United States on Thursday introduced a draft U.N. Security Council resolution that it said will significantly increase pressure on North Korea in response to its latest nuclear test and rocket launch.

Ambassador Samantha Power said the draft, which for the first time would subject cargo ships leaving and entering North Korea to mandatory inspections, goes farther than previous sanctions and is meant to ensure North Korea will be held accountable for its actions.

“It is a major upgrade and there will be, provided it goes forward, pressure on more points, tougher, more comprehensive, more sectors. It’s breaking new ground in a whole host of ways,” Power said before heading into a closed-door meeting where the U.S. planned to circulate the draft to all 15 council members.

The draft is the result of an agreement between the United States and China, North Korea’s main ally and Beijing’s involvement signals a policy shift with regard to its often erratic neighbor. The council is expected to vote on it over the weekend.