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North Korean leader Kim recalls ambassadors to discuss escalation

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ANI Seoul [South Korea]
Last Updated : Aug 14 2017 | 5:28 PM IST

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has called its ambassadors from China, Russia and the United Nations for a joint meeting to discuss the threats issued by President Donald Trump and hence the escalation with United States.

"North Korea seems to be hosting what appears to be a meeting of foreign diplomatic missions' chiefs after calling its ambassadors to major countries back to Pyongyang," Yonhap News Agency news agency reported.

The ongoing meeting reportedly includes Ji Jae-ryong, Ja Song-nam and Kim Hyong-jun North Korea's top envoys to China, the United Nations and Russia, respectively.

But how many more ambassadors are participating in the meeting is unclear.The meeting comes at a juncture when China issued an order imposing economic sanctions on North Korea .

The top envoys are likely to discuss the scenario,response and the condemnation by the international community after its two recent tests of what it called intercontinental ballistic missiles that could reach the mainland United States.

The meeting may also be linked with the country's purported preparations for further military provocations, possibly a nuclear test or more missile launches, as the country has warned of more action.

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The U.N. Security Council on August 5 voted unanimously to impose new sanctions on North Korea, banning exports that supply up to a third of the country's annual $3 billion earnings.

The U.S.-sponsored resolution was in response to North Korea's launch of two intercontinental ballistic missiles last month, activities prohibited under existing U.N. resolutions.

The Ministry of Unification's spokesman Baik Tae-hyun said in a press briefing that the meeting may be part of North Korea's regular gathering of ambassadors.

"North Korea held the 43rd ambassadors' meeting in July 2015 and (the latest meeting) seems to be in line with that," South Korean news agency quoted the spokesman statement.

Tensions between North Korea and the U.S. have escalated after two ICBMs were tested by Kim Jong-and President Donald Trump has pledged to meet further provocations "with fire and fury like the world has never seen".

North Korea further threatened to attack Guam and other US territories in the Pacific region, with a government spokesman saying a strike plan was ready "to put into practise in a multi-current and consecutive way any moment" on Kim's instruction.

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First Published: Aug 14 2017 | 5:28 PM IST

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