Security Council strongly condemns recent failed ballistic missile launches by DPR Korea

The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the most recent failed ballistic missile launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 31 May and 27 and 28 April, reiterating that the Government should refrain from further actions in violation of the relevant Council’s resolutions.

“These repeated attempted launches are in grave violation of the DPRK’s international obligations under UN Security Council resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), 2094 (2013) and 2270 (2016),” said a press statement issued today by the 15-member body.

The members of the Security Council deplored all DPRK ballistic missile activities, including these multiple failed launches, noting that such activities contribute to the DPRK’s development of nuclear weapons delivery systems and increase tension.

The Council further regretted that the DPRK is “diverting resources to the pursuit of ballistic missiles while DPRK citizens have great unmet needs,” according to the statement.

The members of the Council also expressed serious concern that the DPRK conducted this series of further ballistic missile launches after the 15 April and 23 April launches, “in flagrant disregard of the repeated statements” of the Council.

Calling on all Member States to redouble their efforts to implement fully the measures imposed on the DPRK by the Council, particularly the measures contained in resolution 2270 (2016), the Council also called on Member States to report, as soon as possible, on concrete measures they have taken in that regard.

In addition, the Council directed the Committee established under resolution 1718 (2006) to intensify its work to strengthen enforcement of resolution 2270 (2016) and assist Member States in complying with their obligations under that resolution.

The Council also reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in north-east Asia at large, and expressed their commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the situation, and welcomed efforts by Council members as well as other States to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive solution through dialogue.

Lastly, the Council agreed that it would continue to closely monitor the situation and take further significant measures in line its previously expressed determination.