UN strongly condemns DPRK ballistic missile launch over Japan

The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the latest ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), which flew over Japan, as well as the series of launches that took place on 25 August.

Convening a formal meeting this evening immediately following urgent, closed-door consultations, the Security Council issued a Presidential Statement through which it condemned the DPRK for its “outrageous actions” and demanded that the North-East Asia country “immediately cease all such actions.”

“The Security Council stresses that these DPRK actions are not just a threat to the region, but to all UN Member States,” the statement continued, expressing the 15-member body's grave concern that the DPRK is, by conducting such a launch over Japan, “as well as its recent actions and public statements,” deliberately undermining regional peace and stability and have caused grave security concerns around the world.

Moreover, the Council demanded that the DPRK abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes “in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, and immediately cease all related activities” and not conduct any further tests or provocations.

Earlier today, Secretary-General António Guterres also condemned the latest ballistic missile launch, in violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

“The launch undermines regional security and stability and efforts to create space for dialogue,” said a statement issued by UN spokesperson Eri Kaneko.

According to press reports, early Tuesday morning, the DPRK launched a ballistic missile that travelled some 2,700 kilometers, flying over Japan before crashing into the Pacific Ocean.

“The Secretary-General calls on the Government of the DPRK to fully comply with its international obligations and to work to re-open channels of communication,” the statement said, adding that Mr. Guterres remains in close contact with all parties concerned.