US says ‘patience running out’ as China and Russia urge peaceful dialogue with Pyongyang at UN emergency meeting.
The US ambassador to the United Nations has said North Korea’s leadership is « begging for war » as she called on the body’s Security Council to impose tougher measures against the country following its most powerful nuclear test to date.
At an emergency session in New York, the second in a week, Nikki Haley said Washington will circulate a new sanctions resolution this week, with a view of voting on it next Monday.
The US envoy urged the 15-member group to adopt the strongest possible measures to deter North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
« War is never something the United States wants, » Haley said. » We don’t want it now. But our country’s patience is not unlimited. We will defend our allies and our territory, » she added.
Haley, who called Pyongyang’s latest nuclear test « a slap in the face », also condemned countries trading with North Korea for aiding its « dangerous nuclear intentions ».
« The United States will look at every country that does business with North Korea as a country that is giving aid to their reckless and dangerous nuclear intentions, » she said.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) , the North’s state-run agency, has hailed Sunday’s test, saying it « marked a very significant occasion in attaining the final goal of completing the state nuclear force ».
‘Political diplomatic channels’
Meanwhile, China, a top trading partner with North Korea, and Russia called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis at Monday’s meeting.
« We strongly urge North Korea to face up to the firm will of the international community on the issue of de-nuclearisation of the (Korean) Peninsula and earnestly abide by the relevant resolutions of the Council, » said Liu Jieyi, the Chinese ambassador to the UN.
Jieyi added: « China will never allow chaos and war on the (Korean) Peninsula.
