Denuclearisation: N Korea demands peace treaty with US

North Korea’s official news agency today issued a statement reiterating the nation’s willingness to suspend all nuclear testing in return for a peace treaty to end the Korean War, and the cessation of U.S. military exercises aimed at them.

On Saturday in Tokyo, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Anthony Blinken met with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts.

“So it’s very hard to take any of their overtures very seriously, particularly in the wake of their fourth nuclear test”. The three officials also pressured China, North Korea’s long-time ally, to be more proactive and ensure Pyongyang is effectively punished for its actions.

It is time for the Obama Administration to abandon its policy of timid incrementalism and fully implement existing US laws by imposing stronger sanctions on North Korea and to work with Congress to determine additional measures.

The council diplomat said the United States, which is leading the current negotiations, is consulting closely with China but also with other council members, including Japan.

China, however, wants to take a lighter approach to North Korea sanctions, while the United States and its two key allies Japan and South Korea want to implement more powerful and comprehensive sanctions that could place heavy pressure on North Korea individuals and entities directly involved in nuclear tests.

It will likely become the sole nation for which the U.N. operates a sanctions panel, as that on Iran is expected to dismantle in line with the lifting.

North Korea’s U.N. mission claimed Wednesday that its successful nuclear bomb test showed that it could now “wipe out” the United States, as the U.N. Security Council grappled with a response to the underground blast.

The three said they agreed on the need for early adoption of the strongest resolution possible.

But whatever the nature of the device, it was North Korea’s fourth nuclear test since 2006, and further evidence of Pyongyang’s intention to continue developing its nuclear weapons capability in the face of global censure. “Generally, the Korean side’s interests were explained in detail, and China expressed its position”, he added.

Blinken said that Pyongyang should look to the example of Iran.