N Korea Fires Missiles as UN Imposes Tough Sanctions

Local Editor

North Korea fired six short-range projectiles into the sea Thursday in a show of defiance just hours after the United Nations adopted the toughest sanctions to date on Pyongyang over its fourth nuclear test and rocket launch.

Limited displays of military firepower became a routine response by the North to international pressure over anything from its nuclear weapons program to its human rights record.

For its part, the South's Ministry of Defense said the six projectiles, either rockets or guided missiles, fell into the sea around 100-150 kilometers off the North's eastern coast.

The launches came after the UN Security Council unanimously passed a resolution late Wednesday imposing new sanctions after seven weeks of arduous negotiations between the United States and China.

Meanwhile, all eyes are on China and Russia to see if they fully enact the sweeping measures.

Eventually, the sanctions break new ground, requiring all countries to inspect cargo destined for and coming from North Korea, in all airports and sea ports.

They also ban or restrict exports of coal, iron and iron ore and other minerals from North Korea, and prohibit the supply of aviation fuel including rocket fuel.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team