US calls on UN to slap sanctions on North Korea’s trade partners

U.N.O. HEADQUARTERS, Jul 6 (PRIME) -- The Unites States wants the U.N. to introduce sanctions not only against North Korea, but also against all states with trade relations with Pyongyang days after it launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said late on Wednesday.

“We need to do more in order to change North Korea’s military escalation determination. We will not look at North Korea alone, we will look at any country that has business ties with the outlaw regime,” she said at a U.N. Security Council meeting.

The official added that China is North Korea’s major trade partner with a 90% share.

"There are countries that are allowing -- even encouraging -- trade with North Korea in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. Such countries would also like to continue their trade arrangements with the United States. That's not going to happen," she said.

On Tuesday, North Korea said it held the first successful launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, whose maximum altitude reached 2,802 kilometers and range 933 kilometers. However, the Russian Defense Ministry said the missile flew 535 kilometers high and its range was 510 kilometers.

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