The U.S. clashed with China and Russia over North Korea at a UN Security Council(UNSC) meeting Wednesday, following the North's latest missile test.
The U.S. called for strong additional sanctions against Pyongyang along with Britain and France. China and Russia opposed sanctions and instead called for dialogue.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley warned during the emergency UNSC session that countries risk their trade arrangements with the U.S. if their business with North Korea violates UN sanctions.
Haley said that the U.S. is prepared to use the full range of its capabilities to defend itself and its allies and one of its capabilities lies with its considerable military forces. She added that Washington will use its military forces if it must, but prefers not to have to go in that direction.
However, China and Russia voiced their clear opposition to military options, repeating calls for withdrawing the deployment of the U.S. THAAD antimissile system on the Korean Peninsula.
Washington and Beijing were also at odds over additional sanctions against Pyongyang.
The U.S. ambassador said that Washington will circulate a new Security Council resolution in the coming days that raises the international response in a way that is proportionate to the North's escalation. She hinted that the U.S. would seek its own sanctions if the UNSC fails to adopt the new resolution.
The UN Security Council is expected to have difficulties adopting a new resolution with such sharp differences among its members.
Source: KBS World Radio
