Pyongyang (September 12, 2017): North Korea warned the United States on Tuesday that it would have to pay a “due price” if fresh sanctions are imposed against Pyongyang.
According to diplomats, the United States has circulated a revised draft resolution fresh sanctions against North Korea among the Security Council members.
The new draft includes a ban on all oil and natural gas exports and a freeze of all foreign financial assets of North Korea.
North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on state media that if the US “does rig up the illegal and unlawful ‘resolution'” it would respond in kind.
The Security Council is due to vote in New York on a US-drafted resolution to impose new restrictions on the rogue state following its sixth and largest nuclear test, carried out just over a week ago.
“The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is ready and willing to use any form of ultimate means,” the statement said, referring to the country by its acronym. “The forthcoming measures to be taken by the DPRK will cause the US the greatest pain and suffering it had ever gone through in its entire history.”
The US put forward another draft resolution Monday that made considerable changes to a previous version of the proposal.
The latest draft removes a call for a full oil embargo on the country and omits the freezing of assets and a call for a travel ban for North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un. The new draft also softens its language on foreign workers and other issues.
A previously circulated version of the US resolution called for a full ban on exports of oil to North Korea and an asset freeze on Kim, the Worker’s Party and government of North Korea.
The Security Council vote is expected on Monday early evening.
Russia and China both have veto power in the vote as permanent members of the Security Council. Both had expressed skepticism over the strict sanctions.
China — North Korea’s most powerful ally — said Monday that it supported the Security Council’s plan for a “further response” to North Korea and to take “necessary actions.”
“We hope UNSC members will come to a consensus through full consultations and will send out the voice of unity and solidarity,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at regular press conference Monday.
“The UNSC’s response and actions should be helpful to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and to maintaining the stability of the region. And also helpful to solve the North Korea issue peacefully,” Geng said.
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