UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday to impose financial and arms sanctions on North Korea to punish the reclusive Communist nation for its nuclear weapon test on Monday. The U.S.-drafted resolution allows nations to stop cargo going to and from North Korea to check for weapons of mass destruction or related supplies. It requires all countries to prevent the sale or transfer of materials related to Pyongyang's unconventional weapons programs. And the resolution demands nations freeze funds overseas of people or businesses connected with North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. "Today we are sending a strong and clear message to North Korea and other would-be proliferators that there will be serious repercussions in continuing to pursue weapons of mass destruction," U.S. Ambassador John Bolton told the council. In a concession to China, the resolution specifically excludes the use of force, but allows economic sanctions and a restriction on naval and air transport. But the document still puts an international imprimatur on the U.S.-led Proliferation Security Initiative. This was launched in May 2003 and encourages countries to interdict weapons from North Korea, Iran and other states of concern. Wang Guangya, China's U.N. ambassador, told the council Beijing still opposed interdiction and urged nations not to take "provocative steps." In 2002, the United States and the Spanish navy had to release a seized vessel that was carrying 15 Scud missiles from North Korea to Yemen, because there was no provision under international law prohibiting it. The resolution also drops a ban on all arms going to North Korea, but it puts an embargo on all large-sized conventional arms. Russia has changed some of the list of banned items in an annex to the resolution, leaving chemical and biological weapons materials to a council sanctions committee, a procedure that delayed adoption by several hours, diplomats said.
