North Korea's missile launch (illustrative photo)

The Japanese Foreign Minister said Japan will work closely with Russia on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the UN sanctions. According to Japan’s Kyodo news agency, the two countries’ top diplomats agreed that it was important to abide by the United Nations Security Council resolutions on North Korea.

On Thursday the Russian Foreign Minister held a telephone talks with his US counterpart to urge Washington to restrain from military activities on the Korean Peninsula.

The UN sanctions on North Korea in August prohibited the country from exporting coal, iron, lead, and seafood which aimed to reduce one thirds of North Korea’s export revenue.