Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "New Security Council Sanctions and Additional Independent Sanctions to Be Considered if North Korea Conducts Nuclear Test"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Amid ongoing speculation that North Korea's 7th nuclear test is imminent, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that if North Korea proceeds with an actual nuclear test, it will prepare not only new United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions but also additional independent sanctions.

A Foreign Ministry official stated on the 14th, "Our government is closely monitoring the preparations for a nuclear test at Punggye-ri, as well as the possibility of further provocations by North Korea, in close cooperation with the United States."

He added, "Our government plans to consider various measures, including new UNSC sanctions resolutions against North Korea and additional independent sanctions, should North Korea carry out a nuclear test." This reflects the government's intention to actively implement extended deterrence policies against North Korea through the early reactivation of the Korea-US Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG), while also focusing all efforts on preparing various sanction measures to pressure North Korea in the event of a nuclear test.

On the 13th (local time), Minister Park held a Korea-US Foreign Ministers' meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington DC and stated at a press conference that "we discussed specific measures to close loopholes in the implementation of existing sanctions and ways to strengthen sanctions."

He also said that provocations by North Korea, including nuclear tests, will face a united and resolute response from both Korea and the US as well as the international community, and that if North Korea continues provocations, new UNSC sanctions will be pursued.