N.Korea calls for 'standing firm' against West-imposed 'unilateral coercive measures' for equal, multipolar world

ISTANBUL

North Korea issued a call on Saturday to oppose "West-imposed unilateral coercive measures" and advocate for an equal and multipolar world.

"All countries committed to safeguarding world peace and security will have to stand firm against the West-imposed unilateral coercive measures if they are to build an equal and multipolar world," the Foreign Ministry in Pyongyang said in a statement.

Globally, "voices are raised" to eliminate "unilateral coercive measures" that violate all principles of the UN Charter and international law, it stated.

The ministry also noted the recent informal plenary meeting that convened on Dec. 4 to observe the International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures, during which the US and its "vassal forces" were condemned "for their acts of hostility undermining the sovereignty and rights to existence and development of sovereign states."

North Korea, alongside Russia, China, and Iran, is among the members of the group.

They urged the international community to "firmly reject and object to unlawful unilateral coercive measures running counter to the principles of sovereign equality, non-intervention, and respect for self-determination enshrined in the UN Charter," it said.

"Unilateral coercive measures are incompatible with peace and development of mankind, as they violate human dignity and rights and impede socioeconomic development and attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals by developing countries, they demanded the unconditional elimination of such measures," it added.