Key Security Council members have agreed on the wording of a draft UN resolution to expand sanctions against North Korea, diplomatic sources say.
The move is a response to Pyongyang's recent nuclear and missile testing.
The agreement was reportedly reached by the five permanent council members, along with Japan and South Korea.
The full 15-nation council will discuss the draft later in the day with a vote expected on Friday, unnamed diplomats were reported as saying.
Adoption of the draft resolution is virtually assured once the seven countries have endorsed it, diplomats told AFP news agency.
The US and Japan have been pushing for strong sanctions to punish North Korea for its nuclear test in May, but China and Russia have been wary about provoking Pyongyang's ire.
But two diplomats told Reuters that they believed China had agreed with the US-drafted text within the last 24 hours, but that Russia - which holds veto power - had new concerns.
In recent weeks, North Korea has fired a long-range and several short-range missiles, and tested a nuclear device in defiance of the UN Security Council.
The US has said it has ruled out military action against the North in favour of international diplomatic efforts.
North Korea said on Tuesday that it would use nuclear weapons in a "merciless offensive" if provoked.
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