China rejects new North Korea sanctions. South Korea welcomes US measures against Kim Jong-un

Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday that it opposes the imposition of unilateral sanctions after the US announced sanctions on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for the first time, citing human rights abuses.

Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei made the comments at a daily news briefing.

"China has always sought to resolve human rights issues through constructive dialogue and cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect," he was quoted as saying on the foreign ministry website.

"Relevant parties should avoid taking measures that are provocative and would worsen the situation, and do things that are conducive to the peace and stability on the peninsula."

• But Washington's move to place Kim on its sanctions blacklist was welcomed by South Korea Thursday, with Seoul saying it would highlight human rights abuses in the hermit state.

Seoul said it hopes the move would shine a light on human rights "violations" in the North.

"The government ... notes with appreciation and welcomes the US announcement... of sanctions against human rights abusers in North Korea," the South Korean foreign ministry said in a statement.

"The measure is expected to raise the international community's awareness of the gravity of the human rights situation in North Korea, where systemic and widespread violations of human rights are being committed, while greatly helping intensify international discussions on the issue and strengthening relevant measures."

• The US on Wednesday sanctioned Kim for the first time, citing "notorious abuses of human rights," in a move diplomats say will infuriate the nuclear-armed country.

The sanctions, the first to target any North Korean for rights abuses, affect property and other assets within the US jurisdiction. They include 10 other individuals besides Kim and five government ministries and departments, the US Treasury Department said.

"Under Kim Jong-un, North Korea continues to inflict intolerable cruelty and hardship on millions of its own people, including extrajudicial killings, forced labor, and torture," Acting Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Adam J. Szubin said in the statement.

But inside North Korea, adulation for Kim, 32, is mandatory and he is considered infallible. A 2014 report by the UN, which referred to Kim by name in connection to human rights, triggered a strong reaction from Pyongyang, including a string of military provocations.
  [Xinhua - globaltimes.cn]
8/7/16
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