South Korea welcomes new UNSC sanctions on North

Pressure builds on North following latest nuclear test after UN Security Council unanimously backs new measures.

South Korea has welcomed the UN Security Council's move to impose new sanctions on its neighbour North Korea, describing it as a "strict warning from the international community".

The country's foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that South Korea will continue to strengthen cooperation with the international community to ensure that the resolutions "are thoroughly implemented".

"North Korea should accept the strict warning from the international community that continued provocations only deepen the diplomatic isolation and economic pressure," the ministry said.

On Monday, the 15-member council - which does not include South Korea - adopted a US-drafted resolution imposing fresh punishing measures against North Korea following its sixth and largest nuclear test on September 3.

The council voted 15-0 for a ban on textile exports and restrict shipments of oil products to North Korea.

Shinzo Abe, Japan's prime minister, also welcomed the move, describing it as "a remarkably tough sanctions resolution".

"It is important to put an unprecedented level of pressure on North Korea to make it change its policies," Abe said.

Japan is a member of the council.

Though the resolution was backed unanimously, the final document was a watered-down version of the original US proposal following pressure from China and Russia.

Al Jazeera's James Bays, reporting from the UN in New York City, said that both China and Russia "made it very clear that they don't believe everything is being done that should be done".

UN Security Council approves new sanctions on North Korea

He said that both countries "believe there are other things that have to happen, including some that the Trump administration won't like".

China has held the position that stronger sanctions would not be helpful in halting North Korea's nuclear programme.

A Chinese state media editorial on Tuesday said the US should stop isolating North Korea and return to the table for talks.

"The ultimate goal of these moves should be to bring the country back to the negotiating table so that all sides concerned can sit together and settle the terms that can actually freeze or terminate DPRK's [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] nuclear plans, and ensure a lasting and sustainable peace in the region," the Xinhua news agency editorial said.

Since Kim Jong-un's ascendancy in December 2011, North Korea has accelerated its missile development programme.

Tensions over the past month have been escalating over the country's weapons development with threats of nuclear attack exchanged by Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump.

Citation:

“South Korea welcomes new UNSC sanctions on North.” Al Jazeera, 12 September. 2017,aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/south-korea-welcomes-unsc-sanctions-north-170912042906730.html. Accessed 9/12/17.

Response:

Audience: This article does seem very clear to me that the author’s audience is not going towards the people in North Korea or Russia. The Author is very stern on the two country’s position and choices. The Author, I believe is targeting the people who are for the United Nations, people that are longing for unity in the world, whatever it takes. The audience are also very against the projects that North Korea is doing, and want to put a stop to it.

 Author Bias:

The author portrays a positive bias for the UN due to the points that he brings up about the events that are taking place in NK. He appears to be very against the things that NK are doing, for example, the nuclear activity and action that is in NK. The author also highly agrees with the UN not allowing NK to receive oil from other countries. Overall the author would definitely lean towards the UN’s side, due to his points in the article.

Purpose: 

The author appears to be strongly with the UN in his article. As a result he must persuade his audience to do the same, to be for the UN and their ideas. The Author’s purpose is to persuade the readers into thinking that the UN is doing the right thing in this situation, which is limiting North Korea in their supplies, and resources; he makes it really clear due to his facts from the article.