US warns North Korea over 'suicidal' nuclear threat as UN expands sanctions

[alp227]

Source: guardian

The Obama administration warned of "costly consequences" for North Korea on Thursday, in the wake of Pyongyang's threat to launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike on the US and its recent nuclear test.

Speaking at a Senate hearing, the US State Department's special representative on North Korea said Washington would not engage in negotiations without a "fundamental change in attitude" from the pariah state.

The Senate foreign affairs committee chairman, Robert Menendez, described the threat of a nuclear strike as "absurd and suicidal".

The hearing was taking place as the United Nations security council voted in New York to expand sanctions against North Korea. The US-drafted resolution was approved unanimously by the 15-nation council. It came after three weeks of negotiations between the US and China after North Korea's latest nuclear test on 12 February.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/07/north-korea-threat-un-sanctions

[maxsolomon]

1. This goes on until China wants it to end.

What utility does NK have for China? They enjoy how much it annoys the US & weighs on Japan/S Korea's mental health?

[magic59]

2. Just throw them a few basketballs

and they will be fine.

[DainBramaged]

4. That is truly evil

[leftyohiolib]

3. launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike on the US - there it is right out of the bush doctrine

[Blandocyte]

5. North Korea is already assembling the big giant slingshot

and checking the wind direction.

[Pararescue]

6. Here it is, all ready to go.