Q+A: What's behind the new U.N. sanctions on North Korea?

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council unanimously passed a resolution on Friday expanding sanctions on North Korea over its May 25 nuclear test, carried out in defiance of a previous resolution passed in 2006.

Q - Who are the winners and losers?

A - The United States is the biggest winner and North Korea the biggest loser, provided the sanctions are enforced. A previous round of punitive measures passed after Pyongyang's first nuclear test in October 2006 had been ignored.

The United States, Japan and Korea pushed for a tougher resolution this time that included more binding language, such as requiring all countries to comply with inspection of ships and to conduct such inspections.

They had to make many compromises with China and Russia, which insisted on making provisions voluntary. But the fact that China and Russia were willing to support sanctions at all, diplomats say, shows that they may now be closer to the U.S. position on North Korea than ever before.

Q - Will the measures be effective or merely symbolic?

A - The measures will be effective if they are enforced. The most important player when it comes to enforcement is China, North Korea's neighbor and the closest it has to a major ally. Beijing never enforced the sanctions adopted in October 2006 in resolution 1718.

Diplomats say that China's and Russia's frustration with North Korea's nuclear arms program is growing and they are now more likely to help ensure that the sanctions are enforced.

Q - What does the resolution say about weapons trade?