Post latest missile test, Security Council condemns DPRK's 'highly destabilizing behaviour'

The United Nations Security Council today strongly condemned the latest ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), calling it “in grave violation” of the country's international obligations under six of the body's resolutions passed between 2006 and 2016.

In a press statement, the 15 members said that they were concerned about DPRK's highly destabilizing behaviour and “flagrant and provocative defiance of the Security Council” following the 4 April launch.

“The members of the Security Council demanded that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea shall immediately refrain from further actions in violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions and comply fully with its obligations under these resolutions,” according to the statement.

The latest launch comes less than three weeks after the previous launch on 21 March, and two additional rounds of launches and an engine test in

February and March 2017.

Such activities contribute to the development of nuclear weapons delivery systems and “are significantly increasing tension in the region and beyond,” the members cautioned.

They further regretted that the country is diverting resources to the pursuit of ballistic missiles while the country's citizens have “great unmet needs.”

Also in the statement, the Council called on all UN Member States to redouble their efforts to implement fully the measures imposed on the DPRK by the Council.

These include, for example, limiting the number of bank accounts held by diplomatic missions and consular posts within their respective territories, and suspending scientific and technical cooperation with persons or groups officially sponsored by or representing DPRK.

The Council also emphasized the vital importance of DPRK showing “sincere commitment” to denuclearization, and expressed its own commitment to “a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution” to the situation.