North Korea has become even more isolated after a January nuclear test, its fourth, and the launch of a long-range rocket in February brought tighter U.N. Security Council sanctions that the North subsequently defied with more missile launches. China has urged South Korea and the U.S.to scrap the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, saying it is merely meant to spy on the China.
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The press statement urged all United Nations member states “to redouble their efforts” to implement sanctions against Pyongyang, including the toughest measures in two decades imposed by the council in March.
Issued just eleven days after a statement on Pyongyang’s recent submarine-launched ballistic missile test, the new statement says all members are deeply concerned about the launches that were carried out in “flagrant disregard” of its demands.
United Nations resolutions bar North Korea from any use of ballistic missile technology, but Pyongyang has nevertheless conducted a fourth nuclear test and a series of missile tests this year, prompting South Koreato announce plans to deploy a USA anti-missile system to counter such threats.
Japan is making a new emergency system that will issue faster alerts if North Korea launches any missiles, according to reports Wednesday.
“The members of the Security Council reiterated that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) shall refrain from further actions, including nuclear tests, in violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions and comply fully with its obligations under these resolutions”, the statement stated. Obama added that Washington has no interest in adopting an offensive attitude towards Pyongyang.
The statement by officials in Pyongyang follows the test-firing by North Korea of three ballistic missiles on Monday, as world powers gathered for a G20 meeting in China, with leader Kim Jong-Un hailing the tests as “perfect”.
On Tuesday, Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada said that North Korea had made advancements in its missile technologies. The missiles flew over 600 miles and were reportedly launched without navigational warning to Japan. Bessho told reporters that the Security Council should consider taking further action.
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South Korea’s deputy U.N. ambassador Hahn Choong Hee said the worldwide community should be united in sending a “clear and unequivocal message to North Korea that if they continue to provoke and violate their global commitments and sanctions, they will face much stronger and insurmountable and significant counter-measures from the worldwide community”.
