The UN Security Council on Tuesday swiftly condemned North Korea’s nuclear test and mulled stronger measures against it, but a defiant Pyongyang appeared ready for a showdown by test-firing two more missiles and warned the US against any “reckless” military action.
The non-binding statement came after the Council met in an emergency session on a holiday, hours after the second nuclear test by the reclusive North Korean regime sent shock waves around the world drawing international condemnation.
North Korea will “pay a price” if it continues to carry out nuclear weapon and missile tests in violation of international law, US ambassador to the UN Susan Rice said soon after the UNSC passed the statement.
“If you want to continue to test and provoke the international community, they (North Korea) are going to find they’ll pay a price because the international community is clear: it’s not acceptable,” Rice said.
Hours after the UNSC issued the statement, North Korea fired two more short-range missiles from its east coast, heightening tension on the Korean Peninsula after its latest nuclear test and three missile launches drew global condemnation.
Concerned over North Korea’s “reckless” nuclear test, US President Barack Obama spoke to his South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, as both Seoul and Tokyo strongly reacted to Pyongyang’s flexing of its muscle.
{{/usCountry}}Concerned over North Korea’s “reckless” nuclear test, US President Barack Obama spoke to his South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, as both Seoul and Tokyo strongly reacted to Pyongyang’s flexing of its muscle.
{{/usCountry}}