UN Security Council, Turkey condemn North Korea launch

By Canberk Yuksel and Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

NEW YORK

The United Nations Security Council on Monday strongly condemned a weekend missile launch by North Korea.

Council members expressed "utmost concern" about the country's "flagrant and provocative defiance of the Security Council by conducting these ballistic missile launches in violation of its international obligations".

North Korea is barred from ballistic missile technology under multiple Security Council resolutions.

The Council "vowed to fully implement all measures" imposed on the isolated island nation.

The statement came after North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile early Sunday, prompting Seoul’s new leader, Moon Jae-in, to convene an emergency security meeting.

Pyongyang has carried out dozens of missile tests under ruler Kim Jong-un, but the latest launch was the first since Moon took office last Wednesday.

The South Korean president has repeatedly pledged to seek dialogue with North Korea, having served as chief of staff when the last inter-Korean summit took place in 2007.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry also condemned the missile launch in a written statement.

"This launch constitutes a flagrant violation of UN Security Council Resolutions. We call upon the DPRK not to disregard existing opportunities for dialogue and to cease its behaviour which serves only to harm peace and security in the region," it said.