US, Japan Seek Tough UN Sanctions Against North Korea

美日谋求联合国严厉制裁北韩

Japan and the United States are seeking tough United Nations' sanctions in response to what may have been a North Korean test of a nuclear bomb. The relatively small size of Monday's blast has made it difficult for scientists to confirm North Korea's claim that nuclear fission occurred.

If the nuclear test is confirmed, Japanese and U.S. officials have said they favor a total arms embargo against North Korea, a ban on luxury items, international inspections of cargo going into or out of the country and possible financial sanctions.

A United States proposal for such actions was circulated among Security Council members Monday. Washington's ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton says Russia and China reacted favorably to the draft. The United States has not ruled out military action, but officials have said they favor peaceful means of resolving the issue. China says it opposes threatening North Korea with a military strike.

日本与美国正在寻求联合国针对北韩可能进行的核弹试验实施严厉制裁措施。星期一爆炸的规模比较小，科学家难以证实北韩核裂变试爆的说法。

日本和美国官员表示，一旦核试验得到证实，它们主张对北韩实施全面的武器禁运和奢侈品禁运，以及对所有进出北韩的货物实施国际检查和实施可能的金融制裁。

美国星期一向安理会成员散发了一份包括这些主张的建议。美国驻联合国大使博尔顿说，俄罗斯和中国对建议草案反应积极。美国没有排除采取军事行动，但是美国官员说，他们倾向于以和平手段解决问题。中国表示反对以军事打击威胁北韩。