In global appeal, North Korea urges states not to enforce U.N. sanctions

North Korea made a global appeal in a letter released on Friday for states to reconsider enforcing U.N. sanctions on the Asian nation as Washington seeks to step up pressure on Pyongyang to end its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The United Nations Security Council first imposed sanctions on North Korea in 2006 and has strengthened the measures in response to its five nuclear tests and two long-range rocket launches. Pyongyang is threatening a sixth nuclear test.

In the letter to 192 U.N. members and two observer states – dated Thursday – North Korea urged them to “reconsider any of their implementation activities until the legality of those ‘sanctions resolutions’ are to be clarified.”

North Korea has repeatedly requested that an international forum of legal experts be established by the United Nations to clarify the legal basis for the U.N. sanctions.

The U.N. Security Council North Korea sanctions committee has been meeting with regional blocs at the United Nations to push for enforcement of existing sanctions and assist countries with questions on how to implement the measures.

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