China and Russia have delayed a US effort at the United Nations to impose sanctions on five North Koreans in response to the recent missile launches by the country, diplomats on both sides said. The move by the two countries came prior to a closed door UN Security Council meeting on North Korea, the second in two weeks, following Pyongyang firing tactical guided missiles. China told fellow council members it needed more time to study the sanctions, while Russia said more evidence was needed to back the US request. Under current UN rules, the block period can last for six months. After that, another member can extend the block for three more months, and then finally after that the proposal is removed from the table altogether. Monday’s test was North Korea’s fourth so far this year. In a joint statement, the US, Albania, Brazil, France, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, Britain, Japan said on Thursday that the tests “demonstrate the regime’s determination to pursue weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs at all costs, including at the expense of its own people”.
China obviously does not want to sanction one of their close allies further, as it would most likely hurt their already crippled economy even more. China additionally wants to keep North Korea on their side as it gives them another buffer between them and us (South Korea). As small and insignificant as it may seem this peninsula provides China with another line of defence should they make us angry. As for Russia, I suspect that they are just blocking this as it is a United States proposal, and could be used as ammunition in further Ukraine talks to hold over the country’s head, but this is only speculation. As for the US, they do not want the North Koreans obtaining nuclear weapons and will do almost anything to stop it, which obviously includes further sanctions.
This relates to what we are discussing in class as we have previously discussed why China keeps such close ties with North Korea, when the leader of the country is so erratic.
