South Korea minister calls for tougher UN sanctions on North Korea

South Korea has called for the UN Security Council to expand sanctions to punish North Korea for its nuclear program.

File image of South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung Se. Source: AAP

South Korea called on Wednesday for the UN Security Council to expand sanctions to punish North Korea for its nuclear program which it said was accelerating and posed a regional threat.

Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se addressed the UN-backed Conference on Disarmament hours before major powers are scheduled to vote on a resolution to expand sanctions after North Korea's recent nuclear test and satellite launch.

"This is a clear manifestation of the resolve of the international community to punish North Korea's provocations once and for all," Yun told the Geneva forum.