China, Russia delay U.S. bid to sanction North Koreans at U.N.

R/I ~ AA

.

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 20 (Reuters) – China and Russia delayed a U.S. bid to impose U.N. sanctions on five North Koreans on Thursday, diplomats said, as Pyongyang suggested it may resume tests of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles.

The move by China and Russia came ahead of a closed-door U.N. Security Council meeting on North Korea later on Thursday — the second in two weeks — after Pyongyang fired tactical guided missiles on Monday.

“These launches demonstrate the regime’s determination to pursue weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs at all costs, including at the expense of its own people,” seven council members – the United States, Albania, Brazil, France, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, Britain – and Japan said in a joint statement at the United Nations.

The test on Monday was North Korea’s fourth in 2022, with two previous launches involving “hypersonic missiles” capable of high speed and maneuvering after liftoff, and another test using a pair of short-range missiles fired from train cars.

LivinInTheUSA

Article URL : https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-delays-us-bid-sanction-north-koreans-un-2022-01-20/