SOUTH KOREA: South Korean protestors demand stronger sanctions againt North Korea

South Korea's conservative civic group members staged a protest in Seoul on Sunday (October 15) demanding stronger measures on North Korea to prevent it from developing its nuclear programme. Earlier in Sunday, the South Korean government said it welcomed and supported the United Nations' resolution to impose sanctions on North Korea after it announced earlier in the week it had successfully conducted a nuclear test. The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday (October 14) to impose financial and weapons sanctions on North Korea for its nuclear test in a resolution that Pyongyang called a "gangster-like" action. In Seoul, scores of protesters burned North Korean flags and a mock North Korean "missile." Some protesters wore gas masks or anti-nuclear outfits, emphasizing their anti-nuclear demands. "Dialogue is not working with (North Korean leader) Kim Jong-il. To get rid of (North Korea's) weapons of mass destruction, the United Nations should take stronger measures including military sanctions," said protest leader Park Chan-sung. Small scuffles between protesters and riot police broke out as protesters tried to take to the streets. In other areas of Seoul, dozens of protest group members demanded South Korea should stop trade with North Korea entirely. "We need stronger sanctions (on North Korea). We should strangle Kim Jong-il so that he cannot misbehave and develop nuclear weapons and he should surrender to the world community with his hands-up!" said 58-year-old Lee Hye-shil who participated in the rally. The US drafted resolution, which said the reclusive Communist state's action was a "clear threat to international peace and security," allows nations to stop cargo going to and from North Korea to check for weapons of mass destruction or related supplies. In a concession to China, the resolution specifically excludes the use of force, but allows economic sanctions and restrictions on naval and air transport. North Korea's U.N. ambassador, Pak Gil Yon, walked out of the security council meeting after accusing members of "gangster-like" action and warning that Pyongyang considered any further US pressure a "declaration of war". North Korea has issued similar statements before, but this time it was before a formal audience The resolution was adopted after the United States, Britain and France made some modifications after last-minute objections from Russia and China, but in general the original U.S.-proposed sanctions remained intact. The resolution requires all countries to prevent the sale or transfer of materials related to Pyongyang's unconventional weapons programs. And it demands nations freeze funds overseas of people or businesses connected with North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. It drops a ban on all arms going to North Korea, but puts an embargo on all large-sized conventional arms. By allowing cargo inspection, the document puts an international imprimatur on the US led Proliferation Security Initiative. The PSI was launched in May 2003 and encourages countries to interdict weapons from North Korea, Iran and other states of concern.

ITN Source | October 15, 2006

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