South Korea Calls For Further Sanctions On North

The leaders of South Korea and Japan have repeated their calls for stronger action to punish North Korea over its recent nuclear tests.

The actions will include denying the country oil supplies.

The demand contradicted the stance of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has dismissed South Korea’s calls for further sanctions.

Moon and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed on seeking the touched UN sanctions after the rogue state conducted its sixth nuclear test on Sunday, which they claimed was a thermonuclear weapon capable of reaching the US mainland. 

The two leaders also agreed to join forces in persuading Beijing and Moscow to limit their oil supplies to the North, Mr Moon’s press secretary announced.

Ahead of his meeting with the Japanese PM, Mr Moon said that the North's continuing weapons tests have created a "serious and urgent threat unseen before".

However, Mr Putin responded by calling for talks with North Korea, saying sanctions are not a solution to the country's nuclear and missile development.

He said:

"We should not give in to emotions and push Pyongyang into a corner. As never before, everyone should show restraint and refrain from steps leading to escalation and tensions."

Mr Abe, who is due to meet with Mr Putin later today, said:

"We must make North Korea understand there is no bright future for the country if it pursues the current path."