UN agrees on draft sanctions against Pyongyang

UNITED NATIONS/SEOUL: A draft UN sanctions resolution circulated to the Security Council yesterday urges, but does not require, countries to inspect suspicious DPRK cargo and to reduce financial ties with Pyongyang.

The US-drafted resolution, which the 15-nation Security Council could vote on as early as tomorrow, also requires that member states prohibit the supply of fuel to DPRK vessels carrying suspicious cargo that might be a violation of a partial UN trade and arms embargo against Pyongyang.

Meanwhile, Interfax news agency quoted a senior Russian military source as saying yesterday that Russia has information on Pyongyang's plans to launch a ballistic missile but does not know when it will take place.