Security Council Resolution 1874 on Non-proliferation - Democratic People's Republic of Korea (June 12, 2009)

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The United Nations Security Council expressed its “gravest concern” at North Korea's nuclear test conducted on May 25, 2009, in violation of resolution 1718 (2006). The Security Council also noted that this activity created a new “challenge . . . to the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons . . . and to international efforts aimed at strengthening the global regime of non-proliferation.”

Furthermore, North Korea's defiance posed a clear danger “to peace and stability in the region and beyond.” As a result, acting pursuant to Chapter VII, Article 41 of the United Nations Charter, the Security Council demanded that North Korea cease:

1) “any further nuclear test or any launch using ballistic missile technology”,

2) “suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile programme and in this context re-establish its pre-existing commitments to a moratorium on missile launches”,

3) “immediately comply fully with its obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions”,

4) “immediately retract its announcement of withdrawal from the NPT”, and

5) “return at an early date to the NPT and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.”

The unanimous imposition of further sanctions against North Korea, which included the authorization to inspect North Korean vessels, is meant to freeze military development in the country.