China puts temporary ban on North Korean coal imports

North Koreans wash collected coal cinder in a river at the North Korean town of Sinuiju, opposite the Chinese border city of Dandong, February 12, 2013. REUTERS/Stringer

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's Commerce Ministry said it will put a temporary ban on imports of North Korean coal as part of a U.N. Security Council resolution meant to deter Pyongyang from pursuing its nuclear weapons programme.

The 15-member Security Council late last month put new sanctions on North Korea aimed at cutting its annual export revenue by a quarter after it carried out its fifth and largest nuclear test so far in September.