China and Russia on Monday proposed that the UN Security Council (UNSC) lift a ban on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) exporting statues, seafood and textiles, while the U.S. said the UNSC should not be considering "premature sanctions relief" for the DPRK.

A UNSC meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, U.S., March 12, 2018. (Photo: CGTN)

Reuters reported the draft resolution proposed by China and Russia also called for a ban to be lifted on DPRK citizens working abroad and the termination of a 2017 requirement for all DPRK workers to be repatriated by next week. The draft would also exempt inter-Korean rail and road cooperation projects from UN sanctions.

The move was aimed at encouraging talks between Washington and Pyongyang, said the Russian UN envoy.

A U.S. State Department official said Monday that it was not the time for the UN to lift sanctions, adding that the DPRK was still "threatening to conduct an escalated provocation, refusing to meet to discuss denuclearization."

It was not immediately clear when or if the draft resolution would be put to a vote in the 15-member Security Council. A resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, France, Britain, Russia or China to pass.

The United States, Britain and France have insisted that no UN sanctions should be lifted until the DPRK gives up its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Pyongyang has been subject to UN sanctions because of these programs since 2006.

Lifting sanctions to 'head off a dramatic reversal' of the DPRK situation

At a council meeting on the DPRK last week, called by the U.S., China's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun said sanctions should be adjusted to "head off a dramatic reversal" of the situation, while Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said: "It's impossible to agree on something without offering something in return."

The draft resolution circulated to the Security Council by Russia and China proposes terminating some of the sanctions "with the intent of enhancing the livelihood of the civilian population."

The draft also welcomes "the continuation of the dialogue between the United States and the DPRK at all levels, aimed at establishing new U.S.-DPRK relations, building mutual confidence and joining efforts to build a lasting and stable peace on the Korean Peninsula in a staged and synchronized manner."

Trump to watch DPRK 'closely'

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he would be "disappointed" if the DPRK had something "in the works" as a year-end ultimatum from Pyongyang about the fate of their nuclear talks approaches.

The DPRK has issued increasingly strident declarations in recent weeks, even promising an ominous "Christmas gift" if Washington does not come up with some concessions.

The top U.S. envoy to the negotiations with the DPRK, Stephen Biegun, said in Seoul on Monday that Pyongyang's rumblings were "hostile and negative" – and Trump said he was watching.

"We'll see. I'd be disappointed if something would be in the works. And if it is, we'll take care of it," Trump said at the White House when asked about the situation. "We're watching it very closely."

The negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang have been largely stalled since the collapse of a February summit in Hanoi between Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un.

The DPRK has said that if Washington fails to make it an acceptable offer, it will adopt a so far unspecified "new way."

It has carried out a series of static tests at its Sohae rocket facility this month, after a number of weapons launches in recent weeks.