Russia calls on North Korea to return to dialog after UN bans

Russia has expressed hope that North Korea will make the right decision and return to negotiations after the United Nations adopted a new set of sanctions against Pyongyang over its recent nuclear test and rocket launch.

“We are hoping that the North Korean side will take this decision in an adequate manner, draw the right conclusions and return to the negotiating table to settle the nuclear problem on the Korean Peninsula,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

The sanctions came after seven weeks of intense negotiations between the United States and China. Moscow has also voiced support for the new package of bans.

Moscow, which has friendly relations with Pyongyang, described the new sanctions as being “rather tough,” also expressing hope that the new resolution would not worsen the economic and humanitarian situation for North Koreans.

Russia also reiterated previous warnings to Washington not to deploy a missile defense system to South Korea that could lead to “escalated tensions” in the restive region.

The resolution imposes trade restrictions on the country, bars vessels suspected of carrying illegal goods for North Korea from ports, and requires UN member states to inspect all cargo to and from North Korea.

The sanctions also add a total of 16 individuals and 12 entities to a UN sanctions blacklist. The exports of coal, iron and iron ore, gold, titanium and rare earth minerals from North Korea are also banned while the supply of aviation fuel including rocket fuel to the country is also prohibited.

On January 6, North Korea said it had successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb, its fourth nuclear test, vowing to build up its nuclear program as deterrence against potential aggression from the United States.

A month later, Pyongyang launched a long-range rocket it said placed an earth observation satellite into orbit. However, Washington and South Korea denounced it as a cover for an intercontinental ballistic missile test.​

The North accuses the US of plotting with its regional allies to topple the government in Pyongyang, stressing that it will not relinquish its nuclear deterrence unless Washington ends its hostile policy toward North Korea.

It also wants the US to dissolve its military command in South Korea.

Amid the new wave of tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Washington and Seoul have reportedly worked out an agreement on the deployment of an advanced US missile system, called THAAD, to South Korea. They said they would begin talks on the issue at the earliest time possible.

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