Reporters' families seek mercy, N.Korea makes threats
By Jon Herskovitz
SEOUL (Reuters) - Relatives of two U.S. journalists sentenced to 12 years hard labor in North Korea called on the reclusive state to show compassion, while Pyongyang threatened to use nuclear weapons if outside countries invade.
Monday's harsh sentence by a top North Korean court deepened a chill with Washington, and coincided with progress in moves by global powers to punish Pyongyang for a nuclear test in May that put it closer to having a working atomic bomb.
A diplomat close to talks at the United Nations in New York said the five permanent Security Council members were close to agreement on a new resolution imposing further sanctions.
"We have got the makings of a deal, but one delegation still needs to hear back from its capital," the diplomat said. He said Russia was concerned about the language.
The council has been considering measures to clamp down on the hardline Communist country's arms trade and finances. The United States and Japan want strong sanctions but China and Russia have been more cautious.
North Korea appeared ready to increase tensions by preparing for tests of a long-range missile that could reach U.S. territory and mid-range missiles capable of striking anywhere in South Korea and in most of Japan, officials say.
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