US calls for “strongest possible measures” against DPRK

World Today

In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, South Korea’s Hyunmoo II ballistic missile is fired during an exercise at an undisclosed location in South Korea, Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. (South Korea Defense Ministry via AP)

An emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council was held on Monday to discuss the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s latest nuclear test. The U.S. called for the “strongest possible measures” against Pyongyang, while China and Russia said dialogue was needed. 

CGTN’s Nick Harper reports.
Follow Nick Harper on Twitter @NickHarperFSN

The Security Council met for its second emergency meeting in the past week. The sixth-ever nuclear test from the DPRK prompted a frank, no holds barred response from the U.S. ambassador.

“Kim Jong-un shows no such understanding. His abusive use of missiles and his nuclear threats show that he is begging for war,” Ambassador Nikki Haley said. “War is never something the United States wants. We don’t want it now, but our country’s patience is not unlimited.”

There was no resolution to vote on at Monday’s meeting, but Haley said the U.S. was proposing one which would include a fresh set of sanctions.

Among member nations, however, there was disagreement about how to best curtail Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions. China and Russia urged dialogue rather than sanctions.

“We strongly urge the DPRK to face up squarely to the firm will of the international community on the issue of the denuclearization of the peninsula,” Chinese Ambassador Liu Jieyi said.

He also urged the DPRK to “truly return to the track of solving the issue through dialog.”

China again called for the U.S. and the Republic of Korea to cease their joint military exercises, which Beijing argues only heighten tensions in the region.

Last month, the council imposed what it called the “strongest set of sanctions” yet on the DPRK, banning the export of coal, raw materials and seafood. The move reduced the country’s revenue by an estimated $1 billion.

The U.S. may now target the export of textiles and clothing.

A vote on the U.S. proposal is expected on Monday.