North Korean Foreign Affairs Minister Ri Yong-ho said Monday that “under no circumstances” would North Korea negotiate on its nuclear missile program.
In a speech to media, Ri also said North Korea has no intention to use nuclear weapons against any country, “except the U.S.,” and said North Korea is “ready to teach the U.S. a severe lesson with its nuclear strategic force.”
Bits of Ri’s speech were reported by the Associated Press, which said Ri gave those remarks in a speech at a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Manila, Philippines.
The foreign minister’s statements followed a 15-0 United Nations Security Council vote to place new sanctions on North Korea because of the country’s recent intercontinental ballistic missile tests. The sanctions could reduce North Korea’s annual export revenue by $1 billion — a one-third cut.
“The United Nations Security Council just voted 15-0 to sanction North Korea. China and Russia voted with us. Very big financial impact!” President Trump said on Twitter Saturday.
The United Nations Security Council just voted 15-0 to sanction North Korea. China and Russia voted with us. Very big financial impact!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2017
North Korea promised “thousand-fold” vengeance against the United States in response to the U.N. sanctions.
