US President Donald Trump has called for UN Security Council sanctions against the nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), terming it as a very big problem.
In an unusual move, the US president hosted ambassadors from the United Nations Security Council at the White House on Monday to discuss tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
"This is a real threat to the world, whether we want to talk about it or not. North Korea is a big world problem and it's a problem we have to finally solve. People put blindfolds on for decades, and now it's time to solve the problem,” said Trump.
VCG Photo
The US has refused to take military action off the table, as it deploys a nuclear powered submarine and the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier strike group towards the Korean Peninsula.
"The United States should not run amok and should consider carefully any catastrophic consequence from its foolish military provocative act,” warned a commentary published in an official DPRK newspaper.
Adding to the tension, the DPRK detained a US citizen over the weekend as he tried to leave the country. The man worked as a teacher at a university in the country, and it remains unclear why he is being held.
VCG Photo
Amidst the rising tensions, China is calling for a calm, measured approach.
"The current situation on the Korean Peninsula is complex, sensitive, and highly tense. We urge all parties concerned to keep calm and restrained and refrain from taking actions that may result in an escalation of tensions,” said Geng Shuang, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday.
This message was delivered directly by Chinese President Xi Jinping in a phone call with Trump earlier on Monday, with Xi also advising Trump that both sides must be prepared to compromise. The two leaders pledged to work closely on the issue.
Related stories:
