The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Russia was ready to mediate between North Korea and the United States in an effort to reduce tensions after recent Pyongyang missile tests and months of an escalating war of words between the countries' leaders.

Watch video 01:31 Rex Tillerson: China and Russia's North Korea ties undermine peace efforts

"Russia is ready if both sides need it and want it," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, as quoted by Russian news agency TASS. "It is impossible to become a mediator between two parties only if one side seeks so, the will of two sides is needed here."

Peskov added that Russia's willingness to help de-escalate the situation was "obvious."

Read more: North Korea terror blacklisting: The end of diplomacy?

Moscow has long urged for the two parties to start a negotiation process about North Korea's decision to continue its nuclear program and carry out missile tests despite UN Security Council resolutions.

US diplomats have said they are pursuing a diplomatic solution with North Korea, but US President Donald Trump has made any talks contingent upon Pyongyang giving up its nuclear weapons.

Read more: Korea 2017: 'Rocketman' Kim vs. 'mentally deranged' Trump

ICBM threat and North Korea's overall military strength Major achievement In early June 2017, North Korea test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) for the first time. Testing an ICBM marked a major military achievement for Pyongyang and a serious escalation of tensions with the United States and its allies in the region, particularly South Korea and Japan.

ICBM threat and North Korea's overall military strength Trouble with warheads At the time, defense experts said the ICBM could reach as far as the US states of Alaska and Hawaii. However, it was unclear if North Korea can field an ICBM capable of carrying a nuclear warhead on its cone that could survive reentry into the Earth's atmosphere. North Korean state media claimed the ICBM was capable of carrying a "large, heavy nuclear warhead" to any part of the United States.

ICBM threat and North Korea's overall military strength Pyongyang's nuclear tests - six times and counting The ICBM is believed to be a step forward in the North's nuclear program. Despite pressure from the international community, Pyongyang has made no secret of its nuclear ambitions. Alongside its ritual ballistic missile tests, North Korea has conducted nuclear tests on at least six occasions, including one in September 2017.

ICBM threat and North Korea's overall military strength US running out of patience? Responding to the first ICBM test with a show of force, the US and South Korean troops on conducted "deep strike" precision missile drills using Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and the Republic of Korea's Hyunmoo Missile II. In April, the US sent its Carl Vinson aircraft carrier towards the Korean Peninsula, saying it was taking prudent measures against the North.

ICBM threat and North Korea's overall military strength Testing the boundaries Ignoring international condemnation, Pyongyang test-launched another rocket on July 28, 2017, just weeks after its first ICBM test. In both of the tests, North Korea used Hwasong-14 missile, but the second one reached a higher altitude and traveled a larger distance than the first one, according to the state media.

ICBM threat and North Korea's overall military strength Whole of US within range? Pyongyang conducted its third test November 29, using a newly developed Hwasong-15 missile. US, Japanese and South Korean officials said it rose to about 4,500 km (2,800 miles) and flew 960 kilometers (600 miles) over about 50 minutes before landing in Japan's exclusive economic zone off the country's coast.

ICBM threat and North Korea's overall military strength One of the world's largest militaries Apart from a developing missile and nuclear program, North Korea has a powerful army with 700,000 active troops and another 4.5 million in the reserves. It can call upon almost a quarter of its population to serve in the army at any given time. The North's bloated army is believed to outnumber its southern neighbor's by two-to-one.

ICBM threat and North Korea's overall military strength Vast capabilities According to the 2017 Global Firepower Index, the North has, as part of a far-reaching arsenal, 458 fighter aircraft, 5,025 combat tanks, 76 submarines, and 5,200,000 total military personnel. The picture above from 2013 shows leader Kim Jong Un ordering strategic rocket forces to be on standby to strike US and South Korean targets at any time.

ICBM threat and North Korea's overall military strength Enemies all around Alongside the United States, Pyongyang views its neighbors South Korea and Japan as its two other main enemies. North Korea has used US military exercises in the region as means of galvanizing its people, claiming that the exercises are dress rehearsals for an impending invasion.

ICBM threat and North Korea's overall military strength Huge, colorful demonstrations of military might Every year, hundreds of thousands of soldiers and citizens roll through the streets of the capital Pyongyang to take part in the North's military parades. Preparations for the rallies often begin months in advance, and the parades usually mark important anniversaries linked with the Communist Party or Kim Jong Un's family.



Lavrov: Washington rhetoric 'unacceptable'

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also discussed North Korea during a phone call with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday, according to a statement from Russia's foreign ministry.

"It was underlined that it is necessary to move from the language of sanctions to the negotiating process as soon as possible," the statement said. It added that Tillerson initiated the call. The US State Department has yet to comment on their reported conversation.

Lavrov reportedly urged that it was "unacceptable" that "Washington's aggressive rhetoric" and its increased military presence have heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula.

Watch video 02:14 Share UN slaps tough new sanctions on North Korea Send Facebook google+ Whatsapp Tumblr linkedin stumble Digg reddit Newsvine Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/2psUi UN slaps tough new sanctions on North Korea

Trump has lobbed a myriad of insults at North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in recent months and has threatened to "totally destroy" the country if it attacks the US. Pyongyang has said the world must now accept that it is a nuclear power.

Read more: Opinion: Asia needs the US, not Donald Trump

New US sanctions

Washington imposed sanctions on two North Korean officials allegedly involved in Pyongyang's ballistic missile program as well on Tuesday.

Kim Jong Sik and Ri Pyong Chol were identified by the US Treasury as the officials targeted by the sanctions.

Ri Pyong Chol is reportedly a key official in Pyongyang's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) development program, while Kim Jong Sik is reportedly involved in the ballistic missile development, including efforts to switch from liquid to solid fuel.

Missiles powered by solid fuel can be fired on shorter notice since they do not have to be fueled before launch.

Both men were already listed in the latest round of UN Security Council sanctions against Pyongyang that were unanimously passed on Friday. North Korea called the UN sanctions an "act of war."

Inside North Korea: an Instagrammer's perspective Glimpses of normality Despite its image of being secretive, North Korea invites foreigners to discover its attractions. But traveling as tourists comes with strings attached, as special guides shadow their every step. The restrictions haven't deterred Pierre Depont, who has visited the country seven times, capturing glimpses of the locals' daily life.

Inside North Korea: an Instagrammer's perspective Creeping capitalism Depont first traveled to North Korea in 2013 - and has since studied the changing face of the authoritarian country. During the last two to three years, he has observed "that in Pyongyang it has become acceptable to show off your wealth." With a growing middle class and a construction boom, the capital seems to be defying international economic sanctions.

Inside North Korea: an Instagrammer's perspective Pyongyang street style Connecting with everyday people isn't easy, says Depont. "I had a couple of random conversations with strangers - always overheard by one of the guides." In Depont's experience, most locals don't like to be photographed. "North Korean women are definitely getting more fashionable. But you can only see it in the cities."

Inside North Korea: an Instagrammer's perspective Urban vs. rural Commuting in style: this underground station in Pyongyang dazzles travelers with what looks like marble walls and chandeliers. To Depont, North Korea is "an amazing space for photography. You find no advertising at all, no distraction. It feels like a whole new game." But while the capital - home to the elite - seems to be thriving, other parts of North Korea remain mired in abject poverty.

Inside North Korea: an Instagrammer's perspective Hidden hardship To this day, North Korea remains a highly militarized, predominantly agricultural society. Tourists, however, don't get to see much of the living conditions of the rural population. "Every little piece of land is cultivated, every square meter is used."

Inside North Korea: an Instagrammer's perspective Staged abundance? Tourists interested in life outside North Korean cities are taken on guided tours to showcase cooperative farms. When Depont visited one such farm near Hamhung, the country's second-largest city, it featured a little market with a variety of neatly stocked goods. Depont recalls feeling like the shop "was just for show."

Inside North Korea: an Instagrammer's perspective Elite schools - a tourist attraction A stop at a model school is an important item on many tours' agenda. The renovated international summer camp Songdowon was re-opened in 2014 and has been visited by the country's current leader Kim Jong Un. "There is something unreal about it," says Depont. "The kids play in the amusement room, using very advanced arcade games and around 20 modern computers."

Inside North Korea: an Instagrammer's perspective Omnipresent militarism The military is central to the country's identity and the fabric of its society. Around a quarter of the population is employed as military personnel, while Pyongyang has one of the largest military budgets in the world relative to its economic output. From a very young age, North Koreans grow up with military imagery. Depont came across this miniature tank on a children's playground near Hamhung.

Inside North Korea: an Instagrammer's perspective Ritualized worship Alongside militarism, the high level of political control and the personality cult surrounding Kim Jong Un and his predecessors are ubiquitous. The everyday worship of the supreme leader has left a lasting impression on Depont. "You see the amount of money and effort that goes into holding up the story of the great leaders and their great statues." Author: Helena Kaschel, Christine Bayer



rs/jm (AFP, dpa, Reuters)