Ban, Security Council condemn recent DPR Korea missile launches

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the members of the Security Council have deplored the continued missile launches conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

“These launches clearly violate the resolutions of the Security Council banning the DPRK from conducting any launch using ballistic missile technology,” said a note issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson.

“The Secretary-General urges the DPRK instead to work towards building confidence and mutual trust with its neighbours.

Pyongyang carried out a series of ballistic missile launches in late June and early July, despite repeated calls by the UN to refrain from such activities and numerous rounds of sanctions imposed on it by the Security Council.

The spokesperson added that the Secretary-General is in close contact with all concerned parties and continues to explore constructive ways to assist in the collective work toward peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Also today, Ambassador Eugene Richard Gasana of Rwanda, which holds the Security Council’s rotating presidency for July, told reporters that the 15-member body “exchanged views” on the DPRK’s recent ballistic missile launches.

“The members of the Security Council condemned these launches as violations of Security Council resolutions […] and urged the DPRK to fully comply with the relevant Security Council resolutions,” Mr. Gasana added.