US warns N Korea of consequences for 'Christmas gift'

  United States on Wednesday warned rth Korea of consequences if it makes good on threats of a spectacular weapons test in New Year, while offering flexibility if it stays in talks.

Frustrated by lack of sanctions relief after three summits with President Donald Trump, rth Korea has vowed an omius "Christmas gift" if US does t come up with concessions by end of year.

At UN Security Council, US ambassor, Kelly Craft, voiced concern that rth Korea was indicating it would test intercontinental ballistic missiles "which are designed to attack continental United States with nuclear weapons.

"Missile and nuclear testing will t bring DPRK greater security," Craft said, referring to rth by its official name, Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"We trust that DPRK will turn away from furr hostility and threats, and inste make a bold decision to eng with us," she said.

Hinting at furr sanctions, Craft said: "If events prove orwise, we, this Security Council, must all be prepared to act accordingly."

She called rth Korea's persistent shorter-range tests "deeply counterproductive" and, in an unusually direct condemnation by United States, said y violated UN Security Council resolutions.

Craft appeared to rule out meeting rth Korea's demands for an offer in year's final weeks, saying: "Let me be clear: United States and Security Council have a goal -- t a deline."

But she said United States, which used its presidency of Security Council to convene meeting, wanted to work toward a deal.

"We remain rey to take actions in parallel, and to simultaneously take concrete steps towards this agreement," Craft said.

"We are prepared to be flexible in how we approach this matter."

Trump has hailed his relationship with rth Korean leer Kim Jong Un after his breakthrough summit last year in Singapore and two subsequent meetings.

Trump, who has boasted that he prevented war, has said he would be "surprised" if rth Korea acted in a hostile manner.

But rth Korea -- which did t participate in Wednesday's session -- has shown frustration since February's erly awaited summit in Hai ended in stalemate.

two countries met in Stockholm in October to start working-level talks, though rth Korea deunced meeting, accusing United States of t offering anything.

China and Russia, which h cautiously backed pressure against rth Korea after its past nuclear tests, indicated y would reject furr sanctions.

" Security Council must revisit sanctions to alleviate suffering of rth Korean people and create a fruitful environment for dialogue," said Ambassor Zhang Jun of China, rth Korea's primary ally.

Russia's UN ambassor, Vassily Nebenzia, faulted US diplomacy, saying: "You can't reach an agreement if you don't propose anything in exchange."

But Japan and South Korea both put onus on rth Korea.

South Korea -- whose dovish president, Moon Jae-in, paved way for Trump's outreach to Pyongyang -- urged its neighbour to abide by Security Council resolutions.

rth Korea should "remain meaningfully engd in dialogue with United States and (South) Korea so that progress in negotiations can le to concrete results," said its ambassor, Cho Hyun.

France and Britain, which both wield veto power on Security Council, also called on rth Korea to seize rare opportunity offered by Trump for diplomacy.

"It is t too late," Karen Pierce, British ambassor, said to rth Korea. "You can stop this situation from worsening.