UN Security Council holds emergency meeting on North Korea

On May 11, the United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss North Korea before the possibility that Pyongyang would continue to conduct more missile and nuclear tests in the near future.

At the meeting, the US called on the countries in the Security Council to no longer remain silent when Pyongyang repeatedly tested missiles and is said to be preparing to test nuclear for the 7th time. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, The head of the US permanent mission to the United Nations emphasized that it is time for the Security Council to act together.

According to Washington’s analysis, it is very likely that North Korea will conduct a new missile test this month. The US also asked the Security Council to vote on a US-drafted resolution to increase sanctions on North Korea in May.

However, Russia and China firmly oppose the imposition of more sanctions on Pyongyang, in addition to the sanctions that North Korea has suffered since 2006, for humanitarian reasons.

The meeting took place as Pyongyang has had 15 missile tests so far this year, including a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile, and the most recent test was on May 7.

Washington recently suggested that the Security Council should take stronger sanctions against North Korea, such as reducing the amount of oil North Korea is allowed to import for civilian purposes from 4 million barrels a year to 2 million barrels a year. However, the measures proposed by the US have no chance to be approved at the Security Council because they will certainly face opposition from the two other permanent members holding veto powers, Russia and China.

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