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‘No Bright Future’: US, Allies Vow ‘Tough’ Response to North Korean Nuke Tests

© REUTERS / KCNANorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un reacts as he watches a long range rocket launch in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang February 7, 2016.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reacts as he watches a long range rocket launch in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang February 7, 2016. - Sputnik International
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Meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Monday, officials from Japan, South Korea and the US condemned North Korea’s fifth and most recent nuclear test, along with Pyongyang’s “flagrant disregard” for previous UN sanctions.

US Secretary of State John Kerry, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se described Pyongyang’s tests and ballistic-missile launches as an international security threat and a hazard to regional stability. 

South Korean soldiers and passenger watch a TV broadcasting a news report on Seismic activity produced by a suspected North Korean nuclear test, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, September 9, 2016. - Sputnik International
Obama to Ask Nations to ‘Step Up’ Pressure on North Korea at UN

Yun declared, "Our message today is crystal clear: No. 1, North Korea cannot continue to deride the Security Council and the United Nations…No. 2, Kim Jong Un and [the] North Korean regime cannot get away with all their misbehavior and provocations."

"The global community will not be intimidated and will not pull back from our obligations," said Kerry, stating that the US will continue its partnership with Tokyo and Seoul in the effort to roll "back the provocative, reckless behavior of" the DPRK. 

People walk near the venue of a ruling party congress in Pyongyang, North Korea May 6, 2016. - Sputnik International
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Reasons Why More Sanctions on North Korea is a 'Road to Nowhere'

Kerry elaborated that "The global community will not be intimidated and will not pull back from our obligations," and called for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to cease missile launches and nuclear testing immediately, so that denuclearization discussions can resume in good faith.

He added that the international triad and its supporters will "make it clear to a reckless dictator that all he is doing through his actions is isolating his country, isolating his people and depriving his people of genuine economic opportunity."

© REUTERS / Kevin Hagen Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida , South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and US Secretary of State John Kerry
 Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida , South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and US Secretary of State John Kerry - Sputnik International
Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida , South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and US Secretary of State John Kerry

Yun agreed, calling Pyongyang’s actions "a ticking time bomb" and expressed concern that North Korea’s actions could have consequences outside the Korean peninsula."What we see is a looming perfect storm that may not only pounce on Northeast Asia but sweep over the entire world," he said.

The US has been encouraging South Korea and Japan to improve their relationship over the last few months, hoping the two nations can look beyond past disagreements and focus on addressing the North Korean issue.

During a global nuclear summit in Washington DC in April, US President Barack Obama stated the he, along with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Park Geun-hye had recommitted to working together to build pressure on the DPRK. "We are united in our efforts to deter and defend against North Korean provocations…We have to work together to meet this challenge." he said. 

A sales assistant watches TV sets broadcasting a news report on North Korea's nuclear test, in Seoul, January 6, 2016 - Sputnik International
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EU Toughens Sanctions Against North Korea Over Pyongyang’s Nuclear Tests

At Monday’s Meeting, Kashida stated that a "tough" approach must be taken so that Pyongyang understands that its continued disregard for international norms will not go unanswered. "We must make North Korea understand that repeated provocations will isolate them from the international community and that there can be no bright future for them at all," he said.

The three nations released a statement confirming that they "explored ways to work together" to tighten existing sanctions on North Korea through the UN Security Council, along with finding "ways to further restrict revenue sources" to Pyongyang for its nuclear weapons and missiles program.

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