US accuses ‘two permanent UNSC members’ of aiding North Korea

Without naming China and Russia, the United States on Wednesday (local time) accused “two permanent members” of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) of helping North Korea by protecting Pyongyang from attempts to strengthen UNSC sanctions imposed over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.
“The DPRK (North Korea) has enjoyed blanket protection from two members of this council,” US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said at the UN. The 15-member United Nations Security Council met on Wednesday after North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile on Tuesday that soared over Japan for the first time in five years and prompting a warning for residents there to take cover.
The White House said that both Biden and Kishida confirmed that they would continue to closely coordinate their immediate and longer-term response bilaterally, trilaterally with the Republic of Korea, and with the international community.
“They confirmed they would continue to closely coordinate their immediate and longer-term response bilaterally, trilaterally with the Republic of Korea, and with the international community. The leaders discussed the importance of immediate return and resolution of the cases of Japanese citizens abducted by the DPRK and resolved to continue every effort to limit the DPRK’s ability to support its unlawful ballistic missile and weapons of mass destruction programs,” the statement added.
Apart from US, India has also condemned the missile launches, saying it disturbs peace and security in the region and beyond.