The United Nations Security Council has approved a resolution seeking further sanctions on North Korea for its recent nuclear test.

The 15-nation council unanimously passed on Friday resolution 1874, banning North Korea from conducting further nuclear or ballistic missile tests.

Speaking at the council meeting, Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yesui urged North Korea to return to the six-party talks, while adding that the resolution clause allowing cargo inspections should be used with caution.

The newly passed resolution imposes tougher sanctions on the North than resolution 1718, including a comprehensive arms embargo and financial sanctions to prevent the flow of funds that could benefit North Korea's missile, nuclear or proliferation activities. Resolution 1718 was adopted in October 2006 following Pyongyang’s first nuclear test

The U.N. Security Council members must report within 45 days the specific execution plans associated with the new resolution.

The resolution also calls for the establishment of a group to observe whether member countries are abiding by the new measures for one year from the adoption date.