The new threat appeared to be an attempt to scare foreigners into pressing their governments to pressure Washington and Seoul to act to avert a conflict.
And if you look at the UN Security Council these days, on pretty much every issue, although sometimes they can find some agreement, it's the three democracies, the United Kingdom, France and the United States pressing for tougher sanctions or pressure on all these regimes and China and Russia essentially resisting as best they can.