‘Force against DPRK would be unacceptable’

UNITED NATIONS: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov called on North Korea on Friday to end its banned nuclear and missile development programes but warned that the use of force against Pyongyang would be "completely unacceptable."

"The combative rhetoric coupled with reckless muscle-flexing has led to a situation where the whole world seriously is now wondering whether there’s going to be a war or not," he told the UN Security Council.

"One ill thought out or misinterpreted step could lead to the most frightening and lamentable consequences."

North Korea is seeking to develop a long-range missile capable of hitting the US mainland with a nuclear warhead, and has so far staged five atomic tests, two of them last year.

Gatilov said mounting rhetoric and "reckless muscle-flexing" over North Korea could lead to missteps that would have "frightening consequences."

China’s proposal for a freeze on North Korea’s military programs in exchange for a halt to US-South Korea military drills are "ideas that merit serious attention," Gatilov said.

The United States has rejected the Chinese proposal and insists that North Korea first take steps to show that it is ready to abandon its military programmes.

Russia along with China and the United States took part in six-party talks on North Korea’s denuclearisation from 2003 to 2009, along with Japan, South Korea and Pyongyang.

"Resolving the nuclear issue through sanctions and pressure on Pyongyang alone is not possible," he said.