All should enforce sanctions

Reacting to the U.N. Security Council's latest sanctions against North Korea, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton remarked, "It's another Groundhog Day."

Given North Korea's track record — and the history of key trading partners China and Russia failing to enforce previous sanctions against the rogue state — Bolton's pessimism is understandable.

But these sanctions, which seek to halt most of North Korea's arms trade, were leveled in response to North Korea's nuclear detonation last month. The resolution, which was adopted unanimously on Friday, could sharply reduce Pyongyang's revenue from abroad and authorize U.N. countries to stop and search vessels believed to be carrying contraband arms.

China and Russia both voted for the sanctions. China's support was particularly significant. It has clearly grown uneasy about rising tensions in the region following North Korea's nuclear test in May and the launch of a long-range missile in April.

The success of the sanctions will rely on the participation of all U.N. countries. China previously expressed its opposition to U.N. countries searching North Korean vessels, although the resolution creates new opportunities for the United States, Europe and others to interdict suspect cargo independent of China's involvement.

Meanwhile, China's envoy to the United Nations, Zhang Yesui, urged nations to use caution in interdictions. Zhang urged North Korea to stop any moves that may further worsen the situation and to return to the six-party talks on disarmament.

The sanctions come amid threats that Pyongyang will conduct another missile launch in the coming days and the recent sentencing of two American journalists to 12 years of hard labor on charges of illegally crossing into North Korea from China.

Thus far, the U.S. State Department has managed to keep the issues of North Korea's recent show of force separate from the incarceration of Current TV journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee. North Korea likely views the women as an important bargaining chip as it becomes increasingly apparent that the isolated nation is in the process of a leadership succession.

One thing is certain: China plays a pivotal role in the success of these new sanctions and the resumption of the six-party talks. It is hoped, for the security of the region and the safety of the world, that China's verbal support will be backed by decisive action.