US requests UN Security Council meeting on North Korea

US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield has been pushing for tougher sanctions on North Korea amid a string of recent missile tests [File: Carlo Allegri/Reuters]

The United States has requested a UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting later this week to discuss North Korea, diplomats said, as Washington is pushing the 15-member body to strengthen sanctions against Pyongyang.

Washington holds the UNSC presidency for the month of May and has been considering calling a meeting since late last week, the diplomats said on Monday.