Tensions between North Korea and the United States (as well as the rest of the world) have only intensified during 2017. But if you thought that maybe we would catch a break from the often inflammatory comments made by the military superpowers over the Christmas period, unfortunately, you'd be wrong.
The country has fired 23 missiles over 16 tests since February this year, with recent instances even including inter-continental missiles capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. This week it was reported that they were possibly
onto these missiles.
Naturally,
's responses have not been the most level-headed, often
while other U.S. government officials work towards a diplomatic solution.
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The latest path to a resolution was sought by the UN Security Council, when they unanimously voted on harsh new sanctions on the closed-off nation.
These sanctions were agreed earlier this week and would have a substantial effect on the country's imports and exports. Their oil imports would be cut by up to 90 percent, and any North Koreans working overseas would be forced to return to their home country within 24 months.
Speaking to these sanctions, North Korea's foreign ministry released a statement that read:
"We define this 'sanctions resolution' rigged up by the US and its followers as a grave infringement upon the sovereignty of our Republic, as an act of war violating peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and the region and categorically reject the 'resolution'"
"There is no more fatal blunder than the miscalculation that the US and its followers could check by already worn-out 'sanctions' the victorious advance of our people who have brilliantly accomplished the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force"
Speaking during a meeting of members of the ruling Workers' Party on Friday, Kim Jong-un repeated the phrase, saying that they had "successfully realised the historic cause of completing the state nuclear force", despite facing "manifold difficulties and ordeals owing to the despicable anti-DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] moves of the enemies."
Reacting to this statement, South Korea's foreign ministry made its stance clear, explaining that the UN's sanctions are a "grave warning" giving North Korea "no option but to immediately cease reckless provocations, and take the path of dialogue for denuclearization and peace."
However, North Korea has remained firm in its position that their weapons development programs are a deterrent and part of a self-defense operation that is not in contradiction of international law.
"We will further consolidate our self-defensive nuclear deterrence aimed at fundamentally eradicating the US' nuclear threats, blackmail, and hostile moves by establishing the practical balance of force with the US," they said to the matter. "The US should not forget even a second the entity of the DPRK which rapidly emerged as a strategic state capable of posing a substantial nuclear threat to the US mainland."
They also warned that those who voted to successfully bring the sanctions into place would "pay a heavy price" for their actions:
"Those countries that raised their hands in favor of this 'sanctions resolution' shall be held completely responsible for all the consequences to be caused by the ‘resolution’ and we will make sure
for ever and ever that they pay a heavy price for what they have done"
Despite the fact Kim Jong-un has frequently made the news with incendiary statements and worrying actions, there is little we know about North Korea. However, we were recently given some insight into what it's like on the inside,
.
