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UN statement increases N Korea's international isolation: US
The UN Security Council presidential statement condemning the sinking of a South Korean warship by North Korea reflects the latter's increasing international isolation, the White House has said.
The UN Security Council presidential statement condemning the sinking of a South Korean warship by North Korea reflects the latter's increasing international isolation, the White House has said.
"The unanimous statement, reflecting the shared view of the 5 members of the Six-Party Talks, constitutes an endorsement of the findings of the Joint Investigative Group that established North Korea's responsibility for the attack," National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer said.
Commending Seoul's restraint in the face of North Korean belligerence, Hammer reiterated America's unwavering commitment to the defence of South Korea.
"This statement increases North Korea's international isolation, which includes the strongest sanctions that it has ever faced through UNSC Resolution 1874, as the international community continues to make clear the cost that comes with North Korea's provocative behaviour," he said.
The presidential statement issued on Friday at the UN headquarters condemned the attack on the Cheonan and warned Pyongyang that the international community would not tolerate such aggressive behaviour against South Korea.
Expressing satisfaction on the Security Council statement, US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said: "Right now we're just allowing North Korea to sort of absorb the international community's response to its actions and the effect that they've had on regional security."
The United States will continue to support South Korea and its security, he said.
"It provides a unanimous condemnation of the attack. It legitimises the findings of the Joint Civilian-Military Investigation Group and their finding of North Korean responsibility. It also praises the Republic of Korea for their restraint in handling the incident," Toner added.
