UNITED NATIONS – The United States on Friday accused China and Russia of blocking a unified UN Security Council response to North Korea’s missile launches, together with Thursday’s try by Pyongyang to place a spy satellite tv for pc in house.
During an emergency UN Security Council assembly, 13 of the 15 members — all however Moscow and Beijing — condemned Pyongyang’s second spy satellite tv for pc take a look at in three months, which used ballistic missile know-how.
“This should be an issue that unifies us. … But since the beginning of 2022, this Council has failed to live up to its commitments because of China and Russia’s obstructionism,” mentioned US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
“The DPRK’s nuclear threat is growing, and Russia and China are not living up to their responsibility to maintain international peace and security,” she added, utilizing the initials for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the North’s official identify.
Thomas-Greenfield additionally denounced the presence of Russian and Chinese officers at a North Korean navy parade final month that confirmed off new drones and nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles.
“They are celebrating — celebrating — violations of Security Council resolutions and continuing to block Council action,” Thomas-Greenfield mentioned of Moscow and Beijing.
In May 2022, China and Russia vetoed a decision imposing new sanctions on Pyongyang, and no decision or declaration by the Security Council on North Korea has been adopted since.
The final unified Security Council motion on North Korea occurred in 2017.
Chinese and Russian representatives mentioned Washington was in charge for North Korea’s aggressive stance, pointing to ongoing US navy drills with South Korea.
North Korea has lengthy maintained its nuclear program is pursued in self-defense, and mentioned the identical applies to its satellite tv for pc program.
“Our launch of the reconnaissance satellite is an exercise of the legitimate right to self defense to deter ever-increasing hostile military acts of the United States,” mentioned North Korean Ambassador Kim Song, including that his nation has by no means acknowledged UN Security Council resolutions on North Korea anyway.
Thomas-Greenfield rejected that place.
“We all know the truth: The DPRK puts its paranoia and selfish interests over the dire needs of the North Korean people,” she mentioned.
“The DPRK’s war machine is fueled by repression and cruelty,” Thomas-Greenfield added. “It’s shameful, and it’s a grave threat to global peace.” — Agence France-Presse
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
