UN Security Council Action on North Korea

The unanimous adoption of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718 shows that the world is united in condemning the actions taken by North Korean regime. By taking clear, firm, and punitive action, we have sent a very strong signal to North Korea that continuing on this path of intransigence can only lead to further isolation.

The Resolution calls upon North Korea to return to the six-party talks without precondition and requires North Korea to abandon verifiably and irreversibly all of its   weapons of mass destructions programs - including all nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons programs.

The people of North Korea deserve a brighter future.   While this resolution imposes tough sanctions on North Korea, it also provides for humanitarian exemptions to ensure that trade restrictions do not impact continuing humanitarian relief efforts and that the people of North Korea are not punished for the defiance of the regime in Pyongyang.

The United States is committed to peace and security in Northeast Asia and to a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.
Secretary Rice will travel to Japan, China, the Republic of Korea, and to Russia to underscore America's commitment to our diplomatic efforts to implement this resolution and to ensure peace and stability in Northeast Asia.