14 Nov
Three European members of the UN Security Council have urged the international community to strictly enforce sanctions against North Korea by calling for the repatriation of all workers who earn income abroad.
The Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea met behind closed doors on Wednesday.
Later, council chair and Germany's UN ambassador Christoph Heusgen read out a statement, flanked by the British and French envoys.
The statement criticized North Korea for dozens of ballistic launches since May, including what appears to be a medium-range missile.
It said the actions undermine regional security and violate Security Council resolutions.
The statement called on countries to repatriate North Koreans who earn income abroad by no later than December 22, apparently alluding to China and Russia which are the major destinations for such workers.
However, the statement drawn up by Germany, Britain and France, is not the collective opinion of the Security Council.
It is yet unclear whether countries that have strong ties with Pyongyang will comply.
NHK
