The United Nations Security Council recently strengthened sanctions against North Korea, adding perfluorinated lubricants to its list of prohibited items in part because of its resistance to a type of gaseous uranium compound.
The scope of the sanctions was expanded in response to the countrys third nuclear test on Feb. 12, according to a Security Council statement earlier this month. In the effort to prevent direct or indirect supply of all banned items to North Korea, the Security Council grants member states authority to inspect and detain all cargo within or transiting through their territory that has originated in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea or that is destined for that country.
The Security Council places perfluorinated lubricants in the category of nuclear items. Perfluorinated lubricants can be used for lubricating vacuum pump and compressor bearings and for pumping fluorine, have a low vapor pressure and are resistant to uranium hexafluoride (UF6), a gaseous uranium compound used in the gas centrifuge process, the statement reads.
The Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, according to the United Nations website. It has 15 members, and each member has one vote. Under the charter, all member states are obligated to comply with council decisions. In some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security.