The UN Security Council should not be considering 'premature sanctions relief' for North Korea as it is 'threatening to conduct an escalated provocation, refusing to meet to discuss denuclearization,' a State Department official said on Monday. China and Russia on Monday proposed that the UN Security Council lift a ban on North Korea exporting statues, seafood and textiles, according to a draft resolution seen by Reuters, in a move the Russian UN envoy said was aimed at encouraging talks between Washington and Pyongyang.
