White House Says Expects China Will Support New Sanctions On North Korea

The U.N. Security Council should adopt extraordinary measures against North Korea for its recent nuclear test and rocket launch, South Korea’s ambassador said Monday evening. “The U.S. maintains an ironclad commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea”.

Portraits of the late leaders Kim Il Sung, left, and Kim Jong Il, right, hung at the entrance of the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium are seen in the background as North Korean national flags and Youth League flags decorate the venue on the “Day of the Shining Star” or birthday anniversary of Kim Jong Il on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, in Pyongyang, North Korea.

Rep. Brad Ashford (D-NE) introduced the concurrent resolution (H.CON.RES.116) on Friday, when the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a North Korea sanctions bill in a demonstration of bipartisan support for a tough response to Pyongyang’s provocations. Two of the aircraft will remain in South Korea “for a while”, according to military sources interviewed by Yonhap News, whereas the other two will return to their home base, Kadena Air base in Okinawa, Japan.

The U.S. military would not say how long the F-22s will be deployed in South Korea.

Last month, the United States flew a B-52 bomber capable of carrying nuclear weapons on a low-level flight over the South following the North’s January 6 nuclear test.

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that South Korean travelers, diplomats and overseas residents have been advised not to go to North Korean restaurants, although such visits are not illegal.

This year Pyongyang has conducted a nuclear test and launched a satellite on a rocket condemned by much of the world as a test of banned missile technology.

Park made the speech while trying to defend her government’s decision to shut down a jointly run factory park in North Korea in response to the North’s rocket launch.

The worldwide community has reaffirmed its strong will to slap North Korea with strong sanctions over its nuclear and missile tests.