N.Korea Warns Japan

Reuters.com:

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea threatened on Friday to take "stronger physical actions" after Japan imposed punitive measures in response to its barrage of missile tests and pushed for broader sanctions at the United Nations.

Japan introduced a draft U.N. Security Council resolution on Friday that would clamp down on missile-related financial and technology transactions with North Korea, but it was unclear whether veto-holding members China and Russia would approve the step.

China's U.N. Ambassador Wang Guangya said if the draft is put to a vote "there would be no unity" in the council in sending a message to North Korea. But he did not say whether China would use its veto power to kill the resolution or abstain and let the measure go through.

"All possibilities are on the table," Wang told reporters at the United Nations in New York.

Japan's revised draft, co-sponsored by the United States, Britain and France, says that no nation can procure missiles or missile related "items, materials goods and technology" from North Korea, or transfer financial resources to the isolated Communist country's dangerous weapons programs.

China has used its veto only four times in the Security Council, all on issues related to Taiwan. Analysts say Beijing does not want action that could risk bringing down the Pyongyang government and sending refugees swarming across their border.

Tags : north korea, missiles, japan, u.n.