Korea: China, Russia hold key to North’s denuclearization

SEOUL, 02 Septmeber 2022, (TON): China and Russia’s reluctance to toughen U.N. sanctions on North Korea is the biggest challenge facing efforts to eliminate the North’s nuclear arsenal, a top South Korean official said, as the North remains ready to conduct its first nuclear test in five years.

China and Russia, which both have close ties with North Korea and are locked in confrontations with the United States, already vetoed a U.S.-led attempt to slap fresh sanctions on North Korea over its missile tests this year.

That raises worries North Korea would escape punishment even if it performs a bigger provocation like a nuclear test explosion, which is banned by U.N. resolutions.

South Korea’s vice defense minister, Shin Beomchul, said “even if North Korea conducts an additional nuclear test, there is a possibility no additional sanctions will be adopted at the U.N. Security Council because of the U.S.-China strategic rivalry and U.S.-Russia tension over the Ukraine war.”

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