UN Security Council welcomes inter-Korean dialogue, upholds sanctions on DPRK
CGTN
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The United Nations Security Council has welcomed the latest interactions between Seoul and Pyongyang which took place on January 10, but remained adamant in upholding sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
"Members of the (Security) Council welcomed the latest steps and communications that have occurred between the DPRK and the Republic of Korea (ROK)," Kazakh ambassador to the United Nations Kairat Umarov, who serves as the rotating president of the Security Council for this month, told reporters after closed-door consultations.
"Members of the council noted that such initial dialogue between the two Korean states can open possibilities for confidence and trust building on the Korean Peninsula, to reduce tensions and drive toward de-nuclearization," he said.
Despite the positive development, the Security Council would not budge on sanctions against the DPRK for its nuclear weapon and ballistic missile programs.
Ambassador Kairat Umarov, Permanent Representative to the UN for Kazakhstan and President of the UN Security Council for the month of January. /VCG Photo

Ambassador Kairat Umarov, Permanent Representative to the UN for Kazakhstan and President of the UN Security Council for the month of January. /VCG Photo

"The members of the Security Council reiterated that the DPRK and all other member states should comprehensively and strictly implement all relevant resolutions of the Security Council," said Umarov.
The DPRK and the ROK started high-level talks on January 9, the first in more than two years, at the truce village of Panmunjom that straddles the heavily guarded border between the two neighbors.
A joint press release issued after the dialogue said the DPRK had agreed to send a delegation to the 2018 Winter Olympics in February in South Korea's eastern county of PyeongChang, and the 2018 Paralympics in March.
Seoul and Pyongyang also agreed to hold a separate dialogue between their military authorities after agreeing that they should make joint efforts to ease military tensions and create a peaceful environment on the Korean Peninsula.
The DPRK also reopened a military hotline with the ROK across the western border on Tuesday.
The Security Council has adopted 10 resolutions containing sanctions against the DPRK since 2006. 
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency