UN Security Council condemns North Korea missile launch

NEW YORK

United Nations Security Council on Monday “strongly condemned” North Korea’s recent ballistic missile launches, calling them a “grave violation” of the isolated island nation’s international obligations.

“The members of the Security Council deplore all the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea ballistic missile activities, including these launches, noting that such activities contribute to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s development of nuclear weapons delivery systems and increase tension,” the Council said, using the country’s official name.

North Korea claimed on Monday it successfully tested a new medium-range missile last weekend, leaving South Korea mulling retaliatory measures. The Council’s condemnatory statement cited two recent launches, one on last Saturday, Feb 11, and the other on Oct. 19 last year.

North Korea has doggedly pursued its nuclear and missiles program, much to the chagrin and outrage of its neighbor South Korea and its biggest ally, the United States, as well as major international actors.

In December, the Security Council slapped the North with a fresh set of sanctions in a unanimous resolution, targeting what former Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called "one of the most enduring and pressing peace and security challenges of our time".

In 2016, the autocratic nation conducted two nuclear tests and at least 25 launches using ballistic missiles.

September was marked by the most powerful test of North Korea’s decade-long nuclear campaign, causing a 5.3-magnitude seismic shock at its Punggye-ri testing site.

South Korean and American forces are due to conduct massive regular exercises beginning next month, despite a spike in tensions provoked by the spring drills in the past.

The allies could further upset North Korea this year if they go ahead with a plan to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system in the South.

NEW YORK

In 2016, the autocratic nation conducted two nuclear tests and at least 25 launches using ballistic missiles.

September was marked by the most powerful test of North Korea’s decade-long nuclear campaign, causing a 5.3-magnitude seismic shock at its Punggye-ri testing site.

South Korean and American forces are due to conduct massive regular exercises beginning next month, despite a spike in tensions provoked by the spring drills in the past.

The allies could further upset North Korea this year if they go ahead with a plan to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system in the South.