Photo: RFA

The UN Security Council unanimously passed tougher sanctions Thursday against North Korea’s Thursday nuclear program, despite Pyongyang’s threats of a possible "preemptive nuclear attack." According to Resolution 2094 passed by 15 members, all individuals and nations must halt all financial transactions that involve nuclear or missile programs or North Korea’s weapons export. The resolution also strengthens observation of diplomats and asks UN members to block North Korea’s airplanes from their airspace. The resolution says the UN will respond strongly if Pyongyang conducts more nuclear tests or launches a new nuclear program. This resolution widens the trade, financial, transport, and diplomatic sanctions of previous UN resolutions. North Korea has said that if the UN orders new sanctions, it will take strong retaliatory actions.