UN diplomats call for more sanctions against North Korea

NEW YORK — UN Security Council members call for further sanctions against North Korea after a powerful nuclear test explosion added another layer of urgency for diplomats wrestling with what to do about the North’s persistent weapons programs.

Scheduled after North Korea said it detonated a hydrogen bomb underground Sunday, the emergency session comes six days after the council strongly condemned Pyongyang’s “outrageous” launch of a ballistic missile over Japan.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley said North Korea’s relentless actions show that its leader, Kim Jong Un, is “begging for war,” and the time has come for the council to adopt the strongest diplomatic measures.

“Enough is enough. War is never something the United States wants. We don’t want it now. But our country’s patience is not unlimited,” Haley said.

Diplomats from France, Britain, Italy and elsewhere reiterate demands for the regime to halt its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs and urged further sanctions.

“Pyongyang poses a clear threat to international peace and security,” says Sebastiano Cardi, the UN ambassador from Italy, which heads the North Korea sanctions compliance committee.

The North trumpeted “perfect success” Sunday in its sixth nuclear test blast since 2006.

— AP