China and Russia call for UN to ease sanctions on North Korea

China and Russia’s draft resolution calls for North Korea to be allowed to export seafood (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)

China and Russia are urging the UN Security Council to end a host of sanctions against North Korea ranging from the export of seafood and textiles to the cap on imports of refined petroleum products and the ban on its citizens working overseas and sending home their earnings.

A draft resolution circulated to council members and obtained on Tuesday by the Associated Press stresses the economic difficulties in North Korea and says these and other sanctions should be lifted “with the intent of enhancing the livelihood of the civilian population.”