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(LEAD) S. Korean FM embarks on trip to push for N.K. sanctions

All News 11:53 February 09, 2016

(ATTN: UPDATES with FM's comments, minor changes throughout; ADDS photo)

SEOUL, Feb. 9 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se embarked on a five-day trip Tuesday to the United Nations in New York and Germany to drum up international support for punishing North Korea for its latest nuclear test and long-range rocket launch.

Yun plans to make a two-day visit to the U.N. headquarters to ask the U.N. Security Council to slap stronger and more effective sanctions on North Korea.

The U.N. Security Council is working on a fresh resolution for sanctions against North Korea following its nuclear test on Jan. 6.

It strongly condemned North Korea's long-range rocket launch Sunday, vowing to "expeditiously adopt a new resolution" with significant measures.

"The U.N. Security Council issued a strong statement. Based on the momentum, I will step up diplomatic efforts with U.N. members and key allies," Yun told reporters upon his departure at Incheon International Airport.

"We will make utmost efforts to persuade members of the U.N. Security Council, including China, to push for stronger sanctions on North Korea."

Yun will also meet with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to appeal for cooperation for the U.N. Security Council resolution to come out as early as possible, his office said.

Progress over an adoption of the resolution has been slow mainly because China and Russia, two veto-wielding permanent members on the council, have been lukewarm about more stringent sanctions against the North.

After wrapping up the U.S. trip, South Korea's top diplomat will fly to Germany to attend a global forum on security in Munich, the ministry said.

At the Munich Security Conference to be held from Thursday until Saturday, Yun plans to seek cooperation for tougher sanctions against North Korea.

Yun will have talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, European foreign ministers to the U.N. Security Council and other top diplomats, it added.

ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)

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