The council gave no indication of what “further significant measures” it might take if North Korea continues conducting tests and trying to enhance its nuclear capabilities.
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The launch was widely condemned by the U.S. and other major powers, but analysts saw it as a clear step forward for North Korea’s nuclear strike ambitions.
“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.
Pyongyang has nevertheless carried out several launches following its fourth nuclear test in January.
North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test earlier this year, part of its push for a nuclear-armed missile that could one day reach the USA mainland.
“Monday’s launch is minor in significance compared to the submarine-launched missile”, he said.
Warning of the risk of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, France’s U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre told reporters that “weakness is not an option” and urged “quick and firm” council action.
President Park Geun-hye (L) and her Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe hold a summit on the sidelines of multiple summits with the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the Laotian capital of Vientiane on September 7, 2016.
The launches came as world leaders gathered in neighbouring China for the Group of 20 summit, sparking condemnation from Japan and the United States, which blasted them as “reckless”.
“China seems to be bent on a two-track policy, treat the US with a certain amount of respect, avoid provocation, but teach lessons to China’s neighbors that they need to be more obedient towards China”, Paal said.
Meanwhile, the United States and South Korea – perceived as enemies by Pyongyang – stressed the importance of Beijing’s role in pressuring Pyongyang.
North Korea continues its threatening and provocative behavior in the Asia-Pacific region through its missile launches, Obama said.
After Monday’s launches, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the North fired three Rodong medium-range missiles off its east coast and the missiles flew about 1,000 km and landed in waters some 400 km inside Japan’s air defense identification zone.
The statement was issued following an emergency meeting of the council called jointly by the US, Japan and South Korea.
Power, who spoke along with her Japanese and South Korean counterparts, refrained from elaborating on what further action the Security Council could take.
So we are going to work diligently together with the most recent United Nations sanctions that are already placing North Korea under the most intense sanctions regime ever, ” Obama said.
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North Korea fired three intermediate range missiles called Nodongs.improved versions of the old Soviet Scud.with, according to an Israeli expert, new and improved warheads.
