China, Russia Veto Tougher Sanctions On North Korea

Facts

• On Thurs., China and Russia vetoed a US-drafted resolution proposing more UN sanctions on North Korea, breaking the body's unanimity on the subject for the first time since 2006.¹
• The vote was pushed by the US, based on a provision of the Security Council Res. 2397 after Pyongyang fired three missiles on Wed., including one suspected to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).²
• Despite traveling only 224 miles, the first missile appeared to have been the country's most famous ICBM, the Hwasong-17. Pyongyang allegedly fully tested it on Mar. 24, ending its 2018 self-imposed moratorium on ICBM launches.³
• The missiles were launched hours after US Pres. Biden concluded his first presidential visit to Asia, in which he reinforced his committment with regional allies against Pyongyang's threats.⁴
• In the first leg of his trip, Biden and his new South Korean counterpart, Yoon Suk-yeol, said they would consider expanding military drills to deter North Korea.⁵
• North Korea has fired at least 17 weapons so far this year, an unmatched escalation in its nuclear missile testing.⁶

Sources: ¹Al Jazeera, ²New York Times, ³CNN, ⁴NPR Online News, ⁵ITN and ⁶Washington Post.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Washington Post. Kim Jong-un is a mad man who poses a severe threat to the stability of the Korean peninsula and the security of the rest of the world. The US has so far failed to negotiate an end to nuclear weapons in exchange for humanitarian aid - it's time the US turns up the heat on North Korea's dictatorship.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by AntiWar. North Korea has been pushed into a corner by the West. For years Pyongyang made a goodwill effort towards diplomacy with the West and denuclearization, but all it got in return was snubbed and strong-armed. Powerful weapons are needed for nuclear war deterrence, and to avert imperialist threats and blackmail.