Sanctions on North to Include Tighter 'Livelihood Exemption' Clause

New international sanctions being ironed out after North Korea tested its fifth nuclear device in September will include tighter exemption rules regarding the export of coal, diplomatic sources in Seoul said Sunday. 
Official insiders said that talks at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) are in their final stages, and will include more stringent guidelines on the "livelihood exemption" clause in Resolution 2270 announced in March to penalize the North for its fourth nuclear test in January and the long-range missile launch in the following month. The existing exemption allows exports if cutting them off will hurt ordinary people's livelihoods, according to (Yonhap) news agency. 
"The change should oblige the importer to prove that the coal it is buying from the North does not in any way support the country's nuclear and ballistic missile programs," said an official. 
The revisions will mainly affect Chinese companies who have been importing North Korean coal despite the international trade embargo imposed on the reclusive state. 
Coal is the North's main export commodity and key source of foreign currency.
"If an agreement is reached that can close the loophole, Pyongyang will certainly feel the pinch," another government insider said.

Source: QNA