South Korea called on Wednesday for the U.N. Security Council to expand sanctions to punish North Korea for its nuclear program which it said was accelerating and posed a regional threat.

Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se addressed the U.N.-backed Conference on Disarmament hours before major powers are scheduled to vote on a resolution to expand sanctions after North Korea's recent nuclear test and satellite launch.

"This is a clear manifestation of the resolve of the international community to punish North Korea's provocations once and for all," Yun told the Geneva forum.