Kim’s regime has promised to deliver Donald Trump an ominous “Christmas gift” if no progress is made on sanctions relief by the end of the year. The US has offered to lift sanctions if Kim agrees to a denuclearisation programme. However after three summits between the world leaders and numerous meetings of officials from both sides, no progress has been made in the negotiations.
The US ambassador, Kelly Craft, told a UN Security Council meeting that the US is concerned that Kim will resume testing his intercontinental missiles.
The ambassador said that these missiles were: “designed to attack the continental United States with nuclear weapons.
“”Missile and nuclear testing will not bring the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) greater security.
“”We trust that the DPRK will turn away from further hostility and threats, and instead make a bold decision to engage with us.”
Ms Craft then hinted that the US would seek further sanctions in the event Kim chooses to resume testing.
She said: “If events prove otherwise, we, this Security Council, must all be prepared to act accordingly.”
The US ambassador made it clear that the US would not be steamrolled into an agreement, but insisted that it was wiling to keep on talking.
She stated: “Let me be clear: The United States and the Security Council have a goal – not a deadline.
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The US received strong support from France and the UK, with the British ambassador Karen Pierce urging North Korea to change its mind.
The US president suggested on Sunday that Kim had too much to lose and nothing to gain if he pursued a hostile path.
This prompted a personal attack on Trump by Kim Yong Chol, a longtime aide to the top leader.
Mr Kim Yong Chol called the US president a “heedless and erratic old man” and condemned his “odd words and expression.”
This comes after North Korea successfully tested a super-large multiple launch rocket system at the end of November.
According to South Korea’s military, the North Koreans fired two short-range projectiles into the sea off its east coast on November 28.
North Korean media reported that Kim was greatly satisfied with the missile launch.
Pyongyang’s official KCNA news agency said: ”The volley test-fire aimed to finally examine the combat application of the super-large multiple launch rocket system proved the military and technical superiority of the weapon system and its firm reliability.
“The Supreme Leader expressed great satisfaction over the results of the test-fire.”
The new missile tests were the 13th rocket or missile test since May.