The U.N. Security Council has unanimously approved new sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea including banning exports worth over $1 billion.

CGTN’s Nick Harper reports. 
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The resolution adopted Saturday afternoon would also ban countries from giving any additional permits to DPRK laborers — another source of money for Kim Jong Un’s regime.

The U.S.-drafted measure, negotiated with the DPRK’s neighbor and ally China, is aimed at increasing economic pressure on Pyongyang to return to negotiations on its nuclear and missile programs.

It follows the DPRK’s first successful tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States last month.

The resolution bans the DPRK from exporting coal, iron, lead and seafood products estimated to be worth over $1 billion. This represents one-third of its total exports last year, estimated at $3 billion.

Story by The Associated Press