US To Seek New UN Sanctions If North Korea Tests Nuclear Arms

 

The United States warned on Tuesday that it will push for additional UN (United Nations) sanctions if North Korea tests a new nuclear weapon.

US, South Korean and Japanese officials have said that NorthKorea could soon conduct its first nuclear test in nearly five years. North Korea fired three ballistic missiles last week.

China and Russia veto new UN sanctions on North Korea

On Thursday, China and Russia vetoed a UN resolution sponsored by the United States that would have imposed tougher new sanctions on North Korea for launching the intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) that can be used to deliver nuclear warheads.

The United Nations Security Council first imposed sanctions on North Korea in 2006 for testing nuclear arms. The UN tightened them over the years seeking to rein in its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and cut off funding.

The US condemns North Korea's six ICBM tests

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that North Korea's six ICBM tests this year were a threat to the entire international community. Linda said the US would seek new sanctions if the North conducted another nuclear test.

NEW: The U.S. will push for new sanctions if North Korea conducts its anticipated nuclear test, according to Washington’s U.N. ambassador.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Tuesday additionally slammed China and Russia for their recent veto of UNSC sanctions.https://t.co/Dsc2ueclFh

— NK NEWS (@nknewsorg) June 1, 2022

She also urged the council to act against North Korea’s ICBM launches in the last five months. North Korea suspended nuclear arms tests for five years. However, western nations are worried it could test nuclear arms this year.

During US President Joe Biden’s visit to Asia, the UnitedStates and South Korea jointly condemned North Korea’s ballistic missile tests.Biden and newly sworn-in South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol also discussed North Korea’s nuclear threat last week.

North Korea’s missile testing

North Korea has been testing ballistic missiles since the beginning of this year. North Korea has conducted 17 rounds of launches this year. In March, North Korea tested its new Hwasong-17 ICBM system.