Russia and China have blocked the U.N. Security Council from imposing sanctions on five North Korean officials in response to the North's recent ballistic missile tests.
At an emergency council meeting held Thursday on the North's four ballistic missile launches in the last two weeks, the United States called on the 15 council members to approve a press statement recalling that such launches violate resolutions and strongly urging Pyongyang to comply with its council obligations "and to engage in dialogue towards denuclearization."
Diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity because the council meeting was closed, said China, a neighbor and ally of North Korea, opposed any statement.
