South Korea prepares for ‘worst case’ with North

“Today’s test, North Korea’s second this year, follows an unprecedented campaign of ballistic missile launches, which North Korea claims are meant to serve as delivery vehicles for nuclear weapons targeting the United States and our allies, the Republic of Korea and Japan”.

Clinton condemned the test as outrageous and unacceptable, calling for stronger sanctions on Pyongyang and greater defense cooperation with South Korea and Japan. The Security Council is due to meet Friday.

The forthcoming deployment will serve as the US’ military warning against North Korea, which conducted its fifth nuclear test Friday in defiance of the allies’ and the global community’s calls for denuclearization.

“Both countries’ militaries will further improve their capabilities to destroy North Korea’s core military facilities in the event of an emergency as the fifth nuclear test made North Korean nuclear threats a reality”, the military official said. “The Council must take further, decisive action that forces North Korea to change its calculus”.

The sanctions also included a ban on North Korea exporting most of the country’s natural resources with coal alone estimated to be worth $1 billion in annual income, according to Samantha Power, the USA ambassador to the UN.

North Korea yesterday sought to justify its weapons programme as a defence against United States nuclear “blackmail” as world powers debated ways to punish Pyongyang for its fifth and most powerful atomic test.

While China, its closest ally, could be pressed to take the strongest possible action by blocking the transportation of fuel and oil but that could have grave consequences for the general population, the CNN said.

During the meeting behind closed doors, the council strongly condemned the test and agreed to begin drafting a new resolution under article 41 of the United Nations charter, which provides for sanctions.

Moreover, the test, “aside from the fact that it escalates nuclear proliferation in the sensitive area of North-East Asia, threatens to aggravate tension in the area and endangers the peace and security of the entire region and beyond”.

As Commander in Chief, I have a responsibility to safeguard the American people and ensure that the United States is leading the worldwide community in responding to this threat and North Korea’s other provocations with commensurate resolve and condemnation.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra ad Al Hussein also designated two independent human rights experts to support the work of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in North Korea Tomas Ojea Quintana.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Yukiya Amano called it a “deeply troubling and regrettable act”.