Newly appointed Foreign Minister Taro Kono on Tuesday advocated for the "strict and thorough" implementation of U.N. sanctions against North Korea to further squeeze the reclusive regime, saying "loopholes" undercutting their effect must be eliminated.
If U.N. Security Council resolutions "are thoroughly implemented, I believe we can stop the flow of money into North Korea worth more than $1 billion," Kono said in a joint interview with media outlets.
"But there are lots of loopholes. For example, coal exports rejected by China have now found their way into Southeast Asia instead. The resolutions must be carried out strictly and thoroughly," he said.