President Barack Obama vowed Friday to push for new worldwide sanctions in retaliation for the “grave threat” posed by North Korea’s latest nuclear test.
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Analysts say the internal logic driving North Korea’s leadership means the standard worldwide response to the nuclear tests – denouncements, global meetings, possibly new sanctions – will likely fail once again. The South Korean minister also demanded France and the European Union make concerted efforts to impose sanctions against North Korea in close cooperation with Seoul.
World leaders have reacted with anger after North Korea carried out its fifth and reportedly biggest nuclear test.
“If previous tests were conducted with the objective of acquiring the nuclear bomb, the newest test shows that the North finally owns a real, weaponized nuclear bomb”, Kim said.
“And we need a president committed to reducing – not increasing – the number of nuclear weapons and nuclear states in the world”, she added in a likely reference to Trump’s past suggestion that Japan should be encouraged to develop its own nuclear weapons.
Hours after North Korea tested new nuclear technology, Donald Trump’s campaign chief refused Friday to outline the Republican presidential nominee’s approach to rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula as both White House contenders increasingly focus on national security.
The South Korean minister emphasized that Friday’s nuclear test by Pyongyang is a crucial violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2270, calling the nuclear fiasco “a grave provocation”.
“I would let Pyongyang know in no uncertain terms that it can either get out of the nuclear arms race or expect a rebuke similar to the one Ronald Reagan delivered to Muammar Ghaddafi in 1986”, when the United States president launched airstrikes against Libya for sponsoring terrorism, Trump wrote.
Clinton, continuing her aggressive fundraising push, is also appearing at two fundraisers in New York City Friday.
“Maybe we shouldn’t be so honest when it comes to military strategy”, Trump said in a speech to religious conservatives. He did not say whether he had a plan to address North Korea’s claim the test will allow it to build an array of stronger, smaller and lighter nuclear weapons. Artificial seismic waves measuring 3.9 were reported after North Korea’s first nuclear test in 2006, for instance, and a 4.8 was reported from its fourth test this January.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un faced worldwide condemnation on Friday for what was believed to be a 10-kilotonne blast at the Punggye-ri nuclear site.
“But I regret to tell you that it has not been materialized because of many different situations, mainly caused by North Koreans’ provocative actions”, Ban said.
Then, in a May interview with Reuters, he said he would be willing to meet with the North Korean leader.
Lucey reported from NY.
China is North Korea’s strongest political ally and economic lifeline. Clinton stressed that she has more military backing than Trump, who touted endorsements from 88 retired USA generals and admirals earlier in the week.
The test will send tensions soaring over the North’s nuclear and ballistic missile ambitions, which have already earned worldwide condemnation and United Nations sanctions. Further and even tougher sanctions are still possible, like blocking the export of fuel oil to North Korea.
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In a January 2015 executive order, the administration also gave itself the authority to sanction any North Korea entity for simply being a North Korean entity. Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
