US Ambassador to the United Nations Calls on Russia and China to Avoid Encouraging North Korea’s Negative Actions

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, made a strong plea to Russia and China to stop shielding North Korea from sanctions and rewarding its bad behavior over its weapons programs. During a visit to the Demilitarized Zone in South Korea, Thomas-Greenfield emphasized the need for both countries to reverse course and encourage Pyongyang to choose diplomacy and engage in constructive dialogue.

The ambassador’s visit came after Russia vetoed the renewal of a panel of experts tasked with monitoring U.N. sanctions against North Korea. This move, along with China’s abstention, was seen as empowering North Korea to evade sanctions and avoid accountability for its actions.

Thomas-Greenfield stressed the importance of transparency and accountability, stating that hiding the truth does not change it, and rewarding bad behavior only encourages it. She also highlighted the need for creative solutions to continue monitoring sanctions enforcement and other important work carried out by the panel.

In Seoul, Thomas-Greenfield met with a group of young North Korean defectors, praising their courage and resilience. She expressed her commitment to raising awareness about human rights violations in North Korea and amplifying the voices of escapees.

The ambassador’s visit to South Korea is part of a broader effort to address North Korea’s weapons programs and promote human rights in the reclusive state. She will also travel to Japan to meet with family members of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea and visit Nagasaki, a city that was devastated by a U.S. nuclear bomb in 1945.

Both South Korea and Japan are key U.S. allies and members of the Security Council, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by North Korea’s actions.