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19:09 GMT
NEW YORK, Dec 15 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Friday urged China and Russia, which have economic partnership with Pyongyang, to double efforts to eliminate Kim Jong-un regime's nuclear ambition, affirming Washington was not seeking a confrontation with North Korea.
"We particularly call upon Russia and China to increase the pressure," including full implementation of UN resolutions, Tillerson told a UN Security Council session on North Korean.
He said the North Koreans who work in Russia and use their wages to finance their country's nuclear program raises doubts over Russia's position.
Tillerson also doubted China's commitment to solving the North Korean program because of what he said Beijing's export of crude oil to North Korea's refineries.
The US is exploring all options and will use all means to protect American, Tillerson said, but Washington sought diplomatic settlement.
He urged countries around the world to implement eight UNSC resolutions on North Korea, which were imposed since 2006 due to Pyongyang nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
North Korea said it launched an inter-continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) last November, which could hit any place in the US, reflected the country's direct threat on international peace and security, said Tillerson.
He said failure to take an action against North Korea was unacceptable.
The international community, said Tillerson, has been decisive against North Korea's nuclear program.
The US, he added, imposed economic and diplomatic sanctions against North Korea, and offered the regime a chance to be engaged in serious negotiations to abondon its nuclear program. (pickup previous)
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