US calls for tougher UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea

The United States called on Friday fortougherinternationalsanctionsagainstNorth Korea at theUNSecurityCouncil, accusing Pyongyang of "increasingly dangerous provocations" after it test-fired its largest-ever intercontinental ballistic missile.

"The United Statescallson all member states to fully implement the existingSecurityCouncilresolutions," US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said during the meeting convened to discuss North Korea.

"Because of DPRK's increasingly dangerous provocations, the United States will be introducing a...SecurityCouncilresolution to update and strengthen thesanctionsregime" that was adopted in December 2017, she said, using the official acronym for North Korea.

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At the time "thecouncildecided we would take further action in the event of a DPRK ICBM launch," Thomas-Greenfield said.

"This is precisely what happened. So now is the time to take that action."

The unanimously adopted text was voted on a month after Pyongyang fired its last previous intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-15, which was deemed powerful enough to reach the continental United States.

Following Friday's meeting, a group of 15 nations including permanentSecurityCouncilmembers Britain, France and the US -- but minus China and Russia -- released a joint statement condemning Pyongyang's latest launch "in the strongest terms" and warning it "poses a threat" to the entire international community.

"The DPRK is demonstrating its determination to continue advancing its weapons program as it escalates its provocative behavior -- and yet theCouncilhas remained silent," said the countries, which include non-permanentSecurityCouncilmembers Brazil, Ireland and Norway, as well as Germany, Japan and South Korea.

The statement urgedUNstates, especiallySecurityCouncilmembers, "to join us in condemning this behavior and in urging the DPRK to abandon its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs and engage in diplomacy toward denuclearization."

China addressed theSecurityCouncilmeeting and urged "prudence and reason" regarding North Korea.

"All is not quiet on the international front. No parties should take any action that would lead to greater tensions," China'sUNambassador Zhang Jun said.

Russia, for its part, warnedagainstfollowing Washington's lead on tighteningsanctions.

Deputy Russian envoy to theUNAnna Evstigneeva said Moscow believes that doing so would "go beyond the framework of cutting off financing" for the DPRK missile and nuclear programs and would "threaten North Korean citizens with unacceptable socio-economic and humanitarian problems."

In 2018, North Korean leader Kim JongUnformalized a moratorium on nuclear testing and long-range ballistic missile launches, stating that his goals had been met and proclaiming his country a fully nuclear state.

He nonetheless personally supervised Thursday's launch, which state media outlet KCNA reported was meant to ensure the country is ready for "long-standing confrontation" with the United States.

The Group of Seven nations and the EU on Friday condemned what they said was North Korea's "blatant violation" of its obligations underSecurityCouncilresolutions.

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