The Biblical rhetoric continues.
North Korea has threatened the United States with the “greatest pain” it has ever experienced in the face of a UN Security Council vote to enforce the toughest sanctions yet on the rogue state.
Kim Jong-Un ’s country “categorically rejected” the new measures adding the US was “fired up for political, economic, and military confrontation” and was “ready to use a form of ultimate means”.
The sanctions mean its profitable textile exports are now banned and fuel supplies to the reclusive North capped after its sixth and largest nuclear test.
Japan and South Korea said after the passage of the US-drafted Security Council resolution they were prepared to apply more pressure if North Korea refused to end its aggressive development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
A tougher initial draft was weakened to win the support of China, Pyongyang’s main ally and trading partner, and Russia, both of which hold veto power in the council, reports Reuters .
Monday’s decision was the ninth sanctions resolution unanimously adopted by the 15-member Security Council since 2006 over North Korea’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs.
“We don’ t take pleasure in further strengthening sanctions today. We are not looking for war, ” US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told the council after the vote. “The North Korean regime has not yet passed the point of no return.
“If it agrees to stop its nuclear program, it can reclaim its future … If North Korea continues its dangerous path, we will continue with further pressure, ” said Haley, who credited a “strong relationship” between U. S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping for the successful resolution negotiations.
North Korea’s ambassador, Han Tae Song, told the UN-sponsored Conference on Disarmament in Geneva on Tuesday: “My delegation condemns in the strongest terms and categorically rejects the latest illegal and unlawful U. N. Security Council resolution.
He did not elaborate on what “ultimate means” referred to.
US disarmament ambassador Robert Wood took the floor to say the Security Council resolution “frankly sent a very clear and unambiguous message to the regime that the international community is tired, is no longer willing to put up with provocative behaviour from this regime.
