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Tensions on the Korean Peninsula

Russian diplomat warns against military buildup due to North Korea's actions

The diplomat in particular expressed concern over deployment of offensive weapons and the THAAD anti-missile defense systems to the region

© EPA/KIM CHUL-SOO

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UN Security Council imposes tough sanctions against North Korea over nuclear test

UNITED NATIONS, March 2 /TASS/. Russian Ambassador to UN Vitaly Churkin said on Wednesday that attempts to use the situation around North Korea for justifying military buildup in the region, including the creation of anti-missile defense systems, could not but arouse the world community’s concern.

"Attempts to use Pyongyang’s activities for justifying the buildup of military potentials in the region, including offensive weapons and the THAAD anti-missile defense systems, cannot but be a source of our concern," Churkin said after the United Nations had passed a resolution on extension of sanctions against the North Korea.

According to Churkin, Pyongyang’s nuclear test in January and the launch of a ballistic missile in February this year have sharply aggravated the situation in the Korean peninsula and the whole region. "The Russian Federation resolutely condemns Pyongyang’s violation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions," the Russian diplomat stressed.

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He also noted that the diplomatic achievements made over the past year proved that the most complicated international crises lent themselves to solution via cooperation and dialogue if the parties showed a political will to search for mutually acceptable solutions.

"We are urging all the participants in the six-way talks to resume the process as early as possible. For its part, Russia is ready for this kind of interaction," Churkin said.

The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday unanimously passed resolution 2270 on tougher sanctions against North Korea in retaliation for Pyongyang’s tests of nuclear weapons and the use of a ballistic missile to launch a satellite. The resolution, agreed by Russia, the United States and China, imposes serious restrictions - up to a total ban - on importing coal, iron ore, titanium, vanadium and other precious metals from the DPRK and an embargo on delivery of aviation and rocket fuel to the country. The U.N. Security Council resolution envisages the imposition of sanctions against the North Korean banking sector and targeted sanctions against a number of persons and organizations linked to the North Korean nuclear and missile programs.

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Foreign policy Situation on the Korean Peninsula

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