Joint statement delivered by the United States on behalf of Albania, Australia, Brazil, France, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (non-proliferation).
A group of 11 countries condemned the Democratic People's Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) “unlawful and destabilizing actions in the strongest terms” after its ballistic missile launch on Sunday.
In a joint statement on behalf of Albania, Australia, Brazil, France, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States, US ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis said this was the 10th ballistic missile launch so far this year by the DPRK, “each one a violation of multiple Security Council resolutions.”
The statement noted the DPRK state media’s claim that the launch was conducted to support testing of a reconnaissance satellite. It said, “Multiple Security Council resolutions expressly prohibit the DPRK from conducting launches that use ballistic missile technology. This launch is a clear violation of multiple resolutions and should be condemned by the Council.”
The countries called on all Council members to “speak with one voice in condemning these dangerous and unlawful acts.”
The statement added that the “chorus of voices condemning the DPRK’s action grows,” and urged “all member states to fully implement all Security Council resolutions related to the DPRK,” which also obligate the DPRK to “abandon its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner.”
The countries noted the importance of the international sanctions regime as a tool for addressing this threat to international peace and security. It said, “We remain committed to seeking serious sustained diplomacy and urge Pyongyang to respond positively to outreach from the United States and others. We urge the DPRK to choose the path and diplomacy to ease regional tensions and promote international peace and security. We stand ready to engage in dialogue, and we will not waver in our pursuit of peace and stability.”
