UN snubs US, Japan over North Korea

After much horse trading and despite the enormous pressure brought on the United Nations Security Council by the US and Japan, the Council issued nothing more than a “presidential statement” criticizing North Korea's satellite launch of April 5. The non-binding statement asks North Korea to avoid further launches. It also called for the early resumption of the stalled six-party talks on Pyongyang's nuclear program. The US and Japan had lobbied heavily for a binding Security Council resolution, calling for additional sanctions in response to North Korea's satellite launch. However, China - which enjoys warm relations with North Korea - and Russia were not swayed. The two veto-wielding powers argued that it was doubtful that the launch had been a clear violation of earlier Security Council resolutions. Furthermore, they felt that dialogue was a better way of dealing with North Korea instead of the sanctions and threats prescribed by the US and Japan. Despite the relatively mild Security Council response, Pyongyang reacted very strongly and announced the immediate cessation of cooperation with the inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency. IAEA spokesman Marc Vidricaire said, "The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has today informed IAEA inspectors in the Yongbyon facility that it is immediately ceasing all cooperation with the IAEA." Furthermore, the North Korean Foreign Ministry announced that "there is no need for the six-party talks any more.” It added: "We will never again take part in such talks and will not be bound by any agreement reached at the talks.” The statement, carried by the Korean Central News Agency, complained that “throughout history the UN Security Council has never taken issue with satellite launches,” and added that Pyongyang “will strengthen its nuclear deterrent for its defense by all means” and promised that North Korea "will take steps to restore disabled nuclear facilities... and reprocess used fuel rods that came from experimental nuclear reactors." South Korea announced that "the North's response is stronger than expected” and promised a formal statement later.