Without strong sanctions, N. Korea will conduct more nuke tests, says Pres. Park

Without strong sanctions, N. Korea will conduct more nuke tests, says Pres. Park. January. 20, 2016 07:32. will71@donga.com.

President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday called for strong international sanctions on North Korea, mentioning the possibility of Pyongyang`s additional nuclear test. The remarks are interpreted as her call on the international community, including China, to actively join the sanctions at a time of mounting concerns over the possibility of the North`s fifth nuclear test without a strong warning from the international community.

At a Cabinet meeting, President Park has asked officials to make all diplomatic efforts possible to ensure that the U.N. Security Council can come up with strong and comprehensive sanctions by closely cooperating with the U.S. and other allies. "If strong and effective measures are not taken this time, the international community could send the wrong signal to North Korea that it can`t help it if North Korea conducts a fifth or sixth nuclear test," the president said. "We must make sure North Korea will clearly recognize what consequences its wrong behavior will bring."

Regarding her participation in an ongoing signature-collecting campaign calling for parliamentary approval for a set of bills aimed at revitalizing the economy, she expressed regret that she has to see many citizens acting against the National Assembly. The remarks are seen as her attempt to put pressure on the parliament to pass the bills. She plans to push ahead with her labor reform regardless of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions` cancellation of its agreement on the labor reform bills.