UN Security Council Sanctions North Korea: Unanimous Resolution Condemns Rocket Launch; North Korea Responds

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously voted to condemn North Korea for launch a rocket last month.

The vote to condemn the communist country marked one unique observation, China also voted in favor.

The missile launch in question was a multistage rocket carrying a 200-pound surveillance satellite on Dec. 12.

Responsible for drafting the resolution was the U.S. and China, with Security Council members stating they wanted to pass the draft before South Korea takes over as president for the Council in February, according to the New York Times.

"This resolution demonstrates to North Korea that there are unanimous and significant consequences for its flagrant violation of its obligations under previous resolutions," said U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice.

Rice added that the provisions of the resolution, which includes new sanctions and stronger measures on existing ones, will concretely reduce North Korea's growth in developing their weapons program.

China's ambassador to the UN, Li Baodong, urged that negotiations must continue in regards to North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

"We believe that the situation on the Korean Peninsula is at a crossroads," said Ambassador Baodong. "There is an opportunity for all stakeholders on the Korean Peninsula to start the diplomatic track and to avoid the escalation of tension."

The Member States involved in the negotiations include the Koreas, China, Japan, Russia, and the U.S.

North Korea has reportedly reacted "swiftly and angrily" to the resolution, according to the NY Times. The country has threatened to enhance their military and nuclear weapons program as well as not participate in the six-party negotiations.

"We will take measures to boost and strengthen our defensive military power including nuclear deterrence," said North Korea's Foreign Ministry in a statement delivered by the Korean Central News Agency.

The latest resolution is the third in six years condemning North Korea's missile tests.