U.S. to seek sanctions against N. Korea

WASHINGTON, April 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. government will seek tougher sanctions on North Korea after the communist nation launched a long-range missile, a senior U.S. diplomat said Sunday.

In an appearance on ABC's "This Week" program, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, said the United States would press for more sanctions at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council meeting Sunday.

The meeting is being held in response to North Korea's launch of a powerful rocket, a move that violated international law. North Korea said the missile was intended to carry a satellite into space.

"The U.S. is working very closely with Japan and we will be in consultation with our partners inside the council, trying to get the most appropriate and strong response we can possibly get," Rice said.

She did not specify what sanctions are being sought against Pyongyang.

The push for sanctions comes as Washington continues to press North Korea to jettison its nuclear program. Some U.S. officials have said Pyongyang is trying to develop a long-range missile that can carry a nuclear weapon.

On U.S. efforts to pressure Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions, Rice said sanctions already in place may not be enough.

"The sanctions that have been imposed by the United Nations and implemented by the United States and others have had some significant effect on the trade and the banking and the financial sector inside of Iran, and we certainly remain open to consideration of possible future measures," Rice said.