Current UN Sanctions Cannot Stop N Korea's Nuclear Development - Beijing

Existing UN sanctions imposed on North Korea over its nuclear activities are unable to stop Pyongyang from developing nuclear weapons, Chinese Permanent Representative to the UN Liu Jieyi said Sunday.

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, North Korea announced it had successfully launched the Kwangmyongsong-4 satellite atop a long-range rocket.

"Given that North Korea continues to develop nuclear weapons under previous UN sanctions, it has become clear by now, that the current level of sanctions cannot put a brake on North Korea’s nuclear weapons development," Liu said after a UN extraordinary session over Pyongyang's long-range rocket and satellite launch.

Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations Motohide Yoshikaw said that North Korea's actions breach the UN Security Council's resolutions. The launch can be called a satellite launch, but it involves ballistic missile technology, he said, adding that Japan will insist on a "harsh resolution."

Tensions over North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs escalated after Pyongyang said on January 6 that it had successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test, triggering condemnation from the international community and prompting the UN Security Council to begin drafting an anti-DPRK resolution.

North Korea previously reported a successful satellite launch in 2012, in violation of the UN Security Council resolution.