SEOUL - The world must send a strong message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea that its provocative actions are unacceptable, a senior United States diplomat said on Thursday after talks on how to respond to the sinking of a Republic of Korea warship.

The ROK wants the UN Security Council to rebuke the DPRK in a resolution imposing tough sanctions over the sinking of its navy corvette Cheonan in March, killing 46 sailors.

Pyongyang has threatened military action if it is punished for what it says is a fabricated accusation that it attacked the ship.