(WASHINGTON) — A planned missile
launch by North Korea would be "an unmistakable slap in the face" for
those arguing against more sanctions in response to its recent nuclear
test, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia said Tuesday.
Assistant
Secretary of State Daniel Russel's comments appeared to be directed at
China, the North only major ally. He was speaking after North Korea
notified international organizations that it plans to launch an
observation satellite into space between Feb. 8 and Feb. 25.
He
said a launch that uses ballistic missile technology would be another
violation of a U.N. ban and strengthens the argument for the
international community to impose "real consequences" on North Korea for
destabilizing behavior.
The
U.S. has been pushing for the imposition of sanctions following its Jan.
6 nuclear test. China, the North's main trading partner and source of
economic assistance, has condemned that test, but is more reluctant to
impose sanctions. Beijing has traditionally be concerned that putting
the squeeze on its unpredictable neighbor could destabilize it.
Secretary
of State John Kerry sparred with his Chinese counterpart on the issue
in Beijing last week, and discussions are continuing among U.N. Security
Council members on how to respond to the actions by North Korea, which
already faces sanctions under multiple resolutions imposed since 2006
when the North conducted its first nuclear test.
"We
share the view that there needs to be consequences to North Korea for
its defiance and for its threatening behaviors. Our diplomats are in
deep discussion in New York about how to tighten sanctions, how to
respond to violations," Russel told reporters.
"But
I would say that yet another violation by the DPRK of the U.N. Security
Council resolution, coming on the heels of its nuclear test, would be
an unmistakable slap in face to those who argue that you just need to
show patience and dialogue with the North Koreans but not sanctions," he
said, referring to the North by its official name, the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea.
for
those arguing against more sanctions in response to its recent nuclear
test, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia said Tuesday.
Assistant
Secretary of State Daniel Russel's comments appeared to be directed at
China, the North only major ally. He was speaking after North Korea
notified international organizations that it plans to launch an
observation satellite into space between Feb. 8 and Feb. 25.
He
said a launch that uses ballistic missile technology would be another
violation of a U.N. ban and strengthens the argument for the
international community to impose "real consequences" on North Korea for
destabilizing behavior.
The
U.S. has been pushing for the imposition of sanctions following its Jan.
6 nuclear test. China, the North's main trading partner and source of
economic assistance, has condemned that test, but is more reluctant to
impose sanctions. Beijing has traditionally be concerned that putting
the squeeze on its unpredictable neighbor could destabilize it.
Secretary
of State John Kerry sparred with his Chinese counterpart on the issue
in Beijing last week, and discussions are continuing among U.N. Security
Council members on how to respond to the actions by North Korea, which
already faces sanctions under multiple resolutions imposed since 2006
when the North conducted its first nuclear test.
"We
share the view that there needs to be consequences to North Korea for
its defiance and for its threatening behaviors. Our diplomats are in
deep discussion in New York about how to tighten sanctions, how to
respond to violations," Russel told reporters.
"But
I would say that yet another violation by the DPRK of the U.N. Security
Council resolution, coming on the heels of its nuclear test, would be
an unmistakable slap in face to those who argue that you just need to
show patience and dialogue with the North Koreans but not sanctions," he
said, referring to the North by its official name, the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea.
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