Over the weekend, the United Nations unanimously voted to impose tough economic sanctions against North Korea.
The sanctions, which ban exports of coal, iron, lead, and seafood, were levied in response to Kim Jong-Un’s continued testing of ICBM’s and will reportedly cost the country over $1 billion in revenue.
Now, the North Korean dictator has responded by issuing his most dangerous threat yet.
State-run media released this image with statement vowing revenge. (Photo credit: EPA) State-controlled media carried a statement from the North that promised the sanctions would never force the country to negotiate over its nuclear program – or to give up its pursuit of nuclear technology. North Korea denounced the U.N.’s decision saying they infringed on its sovereignty and vowed to take “righteous action.” Kim Jong-Un blamed what he called President Trump’s efforts to “isolate and stifle” his country.
North Korea’s Foreign Minister, Ri Yong-ho also issued a statement calling the sanctions a “fabrication,” and warned there would be “strong follow-up measures.” Yong-ho asserted that the U.N. had abused its authority and his country was ready to give America a harsh lesson with its strategic nuclear force if military action was taken.
Rex Tillerson | Photo Credit New Yorker
U.S. Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, said the support of Russia and China with regards to the sanctions, sent a strong message to North Korea about what was expected of them.
“When the conditions are right then we can sit and have a dialogue around the future of North Korea so they feel secure and prosper economically,” said Tillerson. “The best signal that North Korea can give us that they are prepared to talk would be to stop these missile launches.”
In addition to banning the exports, the sanctions also forbid countries from allowing more North Korean laborers to work abroad. It also bans new joint ventures and investments in current joint ventures with the country. On Monday, President Trump and South Korean President, Moon Jae-In, agreed via tele-conference to apply maximum pressure to the regime.
