BEIJING (Sputnik) – The White House announced in a statement on Thursday that US President Barack Obama had signed a bill imposing new sanctions against Pyongyang.
"The situation on the Korean peninsula is currently very difficult and sensitive. The corresponding sides should keep calm and exercise restraint, and refrain from any actions which could lead to an escalation of the situation," spokesman Hong Lei said at a briefing.
"We believe that such urgent issues cannot be fundamentally solved with new sanctions and pressure," Hong stressed.
Earlier this month, North Korea fired a long-range rocket to allegedly put a satellite into orbit, holding a rocket almost identical to ones used by Pyongyang to launch nuclear weapons. A UN Security Council resolution prohibits North Korea from firing rockets that could be used as ballistic missiles.
In January, Pyongyang declared that it had successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test, triggering condemnation from the international community.
