AFTER weeks of negotiations and in the wake of its nuclear test on Jan. 6 and the subsequent missile test on Jan. 7, the U.N. Security Council has voted unanimously to impose the toughest sanctions yet on North Korea. But the newer, stricter sanctions will be just as difficult to enforce as the older, softer ones as long as China — North Korea’s economic benefactor — has an interest in keeping Pyongyang stable. And even if the sanctions are enforced, they may not deter Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions.

At first blush, the new sanctions seem severe. They include a ban on the import of North Korean mineral resources if funds from such transactions contribute to the country’s nuclear weapons and missile program. They would require countries to expel North Korean diplomats accused of engaging in illicit activities abroad as well as expand sanctions to include a longer list of individuals and entities associated with the regime. The new sanctions would mandate inspections on all cargo going in and out of North Korea while banning the sale of aviation fuel (including rocket fuel), arms and luxury goods.

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