The UN Security Council has called an emergency meeting on the increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The decision to hold the meeting later today came after Russian Ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, noted that the Korean situation directly affects the national security interests of the Russian Federation. At a short-notice press conference yesterday, he expressed serious concerns about the possible further escalation of tensions on the Korean peninsula. Churkin alleged that his country's request to organise an emergency meeting earlier was turned down by the US, which holds the UNSC presidency for the month of December.