Resolution 1874, which does not authorize the use of force, calls on UN member states to expand sanctions first imposed on North Korea after its first nuclear test in 2006.
It calls for tougher inspections of cargo suspected of containing banned items related to North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile activities, a tighter arms embargo with the exception of light weapons, and new targeted financial restrictions to choke off an important source of revenue for Pyongyang's nuclear and missile sectors.
US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice said from Washington that "based on past experience and a pattern that North Korea has of reckless and dangerous actions, it would not be a surprise if North Korea reacted to this very tough sanctions regime in a fashion that would be further provocation."
Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, whose country feels the most threatened by the North Korean actions, said: "We demand North Korea take seriously the international community's unbending message in the resolution and comply with it."
The compromise resolution "condemns in the strongest terms" the North Korean nuclear test and "demands that the DPRK (North Korea) not conduct any further nuclear test or any launch using ballistic missile technology."
It declares that Pyongyang "shall abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner and immediately cease all related activities."
But US intelligence officials have reportedly warned President Barack Obama that Pyongyang intends to respond to a UN resolution condemning its actions with another nuclear test.
Asked how the Council would react to any new North Korean test, Britain's UN deputy ambassador Philip Parham said: "We would take it badly. But we can't speculate now (on the Council response). Our emphasis has to be on implementing this resolution as effectively as possible."
A key question will be whether China, which maintains close economic ties with Pyongyang, will seriously implement the sanctions.
A Western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that "the Chinese and Russians have greater concern about the risk of provoking North Korea" and moved to dilute some of the mandatory measures sought by the United States and its allies.
China's UN Ambassador Zhang Yesui told reporters after the vote that the issue of cargo inspections is "very complicated and sensitive."
"The countries concerned have to act prudently in accordance with international and domestic laws" and with "sufficient evidence," he noted. "Under no circumstances should there be the use of force or the threat of use of force."
Russian counterpart Vitaly Churkin also underscored that the resolution "does not provide for the use of military force" in implementing the sanctions.
Rice meanwhile said Washington would step up efforts to gather information to determine whether a vessel on the high seas is carrying suspect cargo and would try to immediately pass it on to all states concerned.
"If a vessel is designated as one we're concerned about, we are prepared to confront that vessel and seek to board it consensually," she added.
If that consent is not forthcoming "we will work with the flag state and others to direct that vessel to an appropriate port for the mandatory inspection," she said.
And if the vessel refuses an inspection or to be diverted to port, "We will take the necessary action to make it plain whose vessel it is, what it's believed to be carrying, and to shine a spotlight on it, to make it very difficult for that contraband to continue to be carried forward," Rice said.
She said the US military would take "what steps are necessary" to conduct that mission.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon welcomed the council resolution, saying it sent a "clear and strong message" to North Korea.
But he reiterated "his conviction that all differences should be resolved in a peaceful manner through dialogue," and urged concerned parties to "refrain from taking any measures that can exacerbate tensions in the region."
The resolution calls on member states to prevent the transfer of financial or other assets that could contribute to North Korea's nuclear or ballistic missile programs.
It also gives 30 days to a UN sanctions panel to extend a list of North Korean entities, goods and individuals to be subjected to an assets freeze and travel ban decreed in a 2006 resolution.
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