US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield pointed out to the Security Council a 2017 resolution committing member states to “update and strengthen the sanctions regime” should North Korea fire an intercontinental ballistic missile. “That’s exactly what happened,” said Thomas-Greenfield. “So now is the time to take that action.”
In April 2018, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un formalized a moratorium on nuclear tests and long-range missiles, declaring that his goals had been achieved and that his country was a fully nuclear state. Still, he personally oversaw the launch of the Hsawong-15 on Thursday, which North Korea’s state broadcaster KCNA said was intended to ensure the country is ready for a “prolonged confrontation” with the US.
Thomas-Greenfield gave no details on the US proposal to strengthen UN sanctions, other than that they should aim to cut funding for Pyongyang’s banned weapons programs. North Korea’s nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches have long been banned by the Security Council.
North Korean allies China and Russia are likely to oppose tightened UN sanctions. After all, they have been pushing for the relaxation of UN sanctions for some time to improve the humanitarian situation in North Korea and to encourage Pyongyang to return to negotiations on denuclearization with the US and countries from the region, among others.