Written question asked by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative) on Tuesday, 10 October 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 12 October 2006. It was answered by Ian McCartney (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 October 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

North Korea

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the Chinese Foreign Minister on (a) sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, (b) restrictions on fuel supply and (c) a UN chapter seven inspections programme for International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors at nuclear facilities.

Answer: Last week, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary had discussions with several Foreign Ministers about the situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), including Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on 9 and 13 October. During these discussions, both agreed that the test carried out by the DPRK was a clear example of a threat to international peace and security and of the need for a robust response from the UN Security Council. They did not discuss the detail of that response.On 14 October, UN Security Council Resolution 1718 was adopted unanimously. This is a tough resolution, aimed at clamping down on the regime and its programmes of concern. The sanctions are carefully targeted. They prohibit the export to the DPRK of sensitive goods and technology related to its nuclear and missile programmes. The resolution also bans luxury goods being exported to the DPRK and provides for the freezing of assets belonging to the regime and a ban on travel by regime figures to other countries.

Secondary information