MOSCOW (Sputnik) – 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 and put a satellite into orbit on February 7, violating UN Security Council resolutions and triggering condemnation from the international community in both cases.
Later, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously adopted the resolution expanding sanctions against Pyongyang.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said that the UNSC sanctions on Pyongyang contained the toughest measures against North Korea imposed on the country in more than two decades.
“We are aware of statements made by the North Korean leadership that this [UN] resolution will not stop North Korea from its goals of protecting the country, and of creating a nuclear weapon that can be used on a carrier rocket and start a war with practically anyone who upsets Pyongyang. We believe that such behavior is irresponsible,” Lavrov said during a joint press conference with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Moscow.
