Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

U.N. Security Council Strongly Condemns North Korea’s Failed Missile Test | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55349672
Caption:

North Korea leader Kim Jong Un smiles as he visits Sohae Space Center in Cholsan County, North Pyongan province for the testing of a new engine for an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in this undated photo released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on April 9, 2016. REUTERS/KCNA


U.N. Security Council Strongly Condemns North Korea’s Failed Missile Test

by | Apr 16, 2016 | World |

U.N. Security Council Strongly Condemns North Korea’s Failed Missile Test

The United Nations Security Council on Friday strongly condemned North Korea’s test-firing of a ballistic missile launch, saying that it was a “clear violation” of U.N. resolutions despite its failure.

The council also warned it could take further punitive measures against Pyongyang.

The council yesterday called on North Korea to halt further actions in violation of resolutions barring Pyongyang from developing ballistic missile technology.

In a unanimous statement, the council said it would closely monitor the situation and was ready to “take further significant measures” against the reclusive state.

Yet North Korea’s latest attempt to launch an intermediate-range ballistic missile is considered a step defying the U.N. sanctions, experts believe.

“The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the firing of a ballistic missile by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on April 15,” the council said in a statement, using North Korea’s official name.

“Although the DPRK’s ballistic missile launch was a failure, this attempt constituted a clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions,” it said.

During yesterday’s attempt, the missile disappeared from tracking radar a few seconds after its launch and was believed to have exploded in midair, according to a Seoul intelligence official quoted by the Yonhap news agency.

Asked about the failed launch, UN spokesman Farhan Haq said: “We certainly are aware of the recent reports of activity by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which is alarming.” “We once again call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for restraint.”

The launch, on North Korea’s so-called Day of the Sun which marks the birthday of the country’s founder Kim Il-sung, followed its fourth nuclear test in January and a long-range rocket launch in February, which led to new U.N. sanctions.

After the fourth nuclear test, the U.N. Security Council last month imposed its toughest sanctions to date on North Korea. The country fired a rocket that was widely seen as a disguised ballistic missile test.

Since the adoption of the new sweeping sanctions, North Korea has carried out at least two sets of ballistic missile launches that the council has condemned.