Russia, China Express Concern Over N Korea's Breach of International Law

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov and China's Special Representative on the Korean Peninsula Affairs Wu Dawei are deeply concerned about North Korea's disregard of the requirements of the UN Security Council resolutions and the generally recognized norms of international law, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"[Morgulov and Wu] had an in-depth exchange of views on the current situation on the Korean peninsula in light of DPRK 's nuclear test and a planned launch of a carrier rocket. Both sides expressed deep concern about Pyongyang's demonstrative neglect of universally recognized norms of international law and the requirements of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions," the statement read.

Tensions surrounding North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs escalated after Pyongyang announced in early January that it had successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test, triggering a wave of condemnation from the international community.

North Korea has notified the International Maritime Organization (IMO) of its plan to launch a satellite between February 8 and February 25.