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North Korea files complaint to U.N.'s Ban Ki-moon

Pyongyang said the latest economic sanctions violates the country’s sovereignty.

By Elizabeth Shim
North Korea sent a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemning the latest sanctions resolution, according to KCNA. UN Photo by Eskinder Debebe/UPI
North Korea sent a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemning the latest sanctions resolution, according to KCNA. UN Photo by Eskinder Debebe/UPI | License Photo

SEOUL, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- North Korea filed a complaint to the United Nations less than a week after the U.N. Security Council adopted a new sanctions resolution targeting the country's nuclear weapons program.

In a letter addressed to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Pyongyang demanded an explanation for the basis of the sanctions, according to state-controlled news agency KCNA on Tuesday.

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Pyongyang said the message was sent from North Korea's "U.N. representative...demanding an explanation for the legal basis for a sanctions resolution that targets [North Korea's] testing of nuclear warheads."

The sanctions resolution adopted last Wednesday bans North Korea exports of coal, copper, nickel, silver, zinc and even the sale of statues.

Coal is a significant source of revenue for North Korea. The sanctions could mean a loss of $800 million in income for North Korea, a significant portion of total exports estimated to be about $3 billion.

The letter described the sanctions resolution as an "act that infringes on sovereignty" and stated the Security Council has "in pursuing double standards lost the fairness that gives life to international organizations."

KCNA also reported North Korea had submitted a similar letter on May 23 demanding an explanation for the "legal contradiction" of March sanctions, but that no reply was given.

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The lack of response is a sign, "the [resolution]...is an illegal document," North Korea stated.

The letter sent this week is likely to be from North Korea's Ambassador to the United Nations Ja Song Nam.

Ja has sent Ban several letters regarding North Korea human rights and the group defection of restaurant workers, according to Yonhap.

Pyongyang maintains a group of 12 North Korean waitresses was forced to leave a state-run restaurant in China.

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