News / Koreas

South Korea calls for 'robust' sanctions against North

Tuesday, 16 February 2016 2:59 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 16 February 2016 2:57 AM ]

This picture, released by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency on February 7, 2016, shows a rocket launch at an undisclosed location in North Korea.

South Korea says the United Nations Security Council should adopt "extraordinary" measures in response to North Korea's recent nuclear test and rocket launch.

South Korea's Ambassador to the UN Oh Joon called on the Security Council members late on Monday to ratify "a robust and comprehensive" sanctions resolution to make clear to Pyongyang that the council “will no longer tolerate” Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons development.

North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test last month and successfully launched a long-range rocket reportedly aimed at placing an earth observation satellite into orbit earlier this month. However, the US and South Korea denounced the move as a cover for an intercontinental ballistic missile test.

The South Korean envoy also described Pyongyang’s recent measures as "a clear threat to international peace and security and a blatant challenge to the international community."

Reports say the US and China are negotiating the text of a new resolution against North Korea over its nuclear activities.

In another development, South Korean President Park Geun-hye warned on Tuesday that North Korea will collapse if it does not give up its nuclear program.

Addressing the parliament, Park said Seoul should take "stronger and more effective" measures to make Pyongyang realize its nuclear ambitions will only accelerate its “collapse.”

North Korea says it is developing a nuclear arsenal in an effort to protect itself from the US military, which occasionally deploys nuclear-powered warships and aircraft capable of carrying atomic weapons in the region.

The Korean Peninsula has been locked in a cycle of military rhetoric since the 1950-1953 Korean War, which ended in an armistice. No peace deal has been signed since then, meaning that Pyongyang and Seoul remain technically at war.

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