Stephen Lendman

During Friday’s Security Council session on North Korea, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed views far different from his US counterpart.

He stressed peace and stability through outreach, diplomacy and dialogue toward the goal of a denuclearized Korean peninsula.

Tillerson threatened war if Pyongyang fails to obey US diktats, upping the stakes for conflict over efforts to avoid it.

“We must stay committed to the goal of denuclearization,” said Wang. “It’s the basic precondition for long-term peace and stability on the peninsula, and what we must accomplish to safeguard the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.”

“The continued escalation of tensions on the Korean peninsula in the recent period has caused widespread concerns and worries…”

“If the issue…fails to be put under effective control and in the case of unexpected events, the situation is highly likely to take a drastic turn for the worse and spiral out of control.”

“We must stay committed to the path of dialogue and negotiation. The use of force does not resolve differences, and will only lead to bigger disasters.”

The only solution for all parties is “dialogue and negotiation. Our past experience…on the peninsula shows whenever (they’re) ongoing, the situation…maintain(s) basic stability,” essential to pursue now.

During Friday’s ministerial-level Security Council session on North Korea, Pyongyang launched a reported failed ballistic missile test - a message of determination not to surrender to US-led Western demands.

Trump tweeted “North Korea disrespected the wishes of China…Bad!” US Pacific Command said the missile didn’t leave DPRK territory.

An unnamed Trump administration official said plans for tougher sanctions on Pyongyang “could be sped up. Something that’s ready to go could be taken from the larger package and expedited.”

On Thursday, Trump warned of a possible “major, major conflict” with North Korea. At the Security Council on Friday, Tillerson said further DPRK nuclear and ballistic missile tests could lead to “catastrophic consequences.”

China and Russia want war avoided. On Friday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said use of force on the Korean peninsula is “absolutely unacceptable as it is fraught with disastrous consequences” for the entire region.

“It would be no exaggeration to say that the regional peace has been seriously tested recently while the risk still remains that the confrontation will lead to military escalation,” he stressed.

“(A)ny thoughtless step (could) result in terrible consequences.’ Gatilov warned against imposing sanctions able to “stifle North Korea economically or deteriorate the humanitarian situation in the country.”

Resolving things can only be achieved by “constructive talks on the existing problems,” he explained. Washington prefers sticks, not carrots.

US-launched war on the Korean peninsula remains an ominous possibility - given Washington’s rage for conflict over responsible outreach, diplomacy and dialogue.

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