Security Council Press Statement on Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Launches
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Ismael Abraão Gaspar Martins (Angola):
The members of the Security Council held urgent consultations to address the serious situation arising from the recent ballistic missile launches conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
The members of the Security Council strongly condemned and expressed grave concern at the ballistic missile launches conducted by the DPRK on 18 March and on 10 March.
The members of the Security Council stressed that all these launches were unacceptable, constituted a clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), 2094 (2013) and 2270 (2016), and posed a threat to regional and international security.
The members of the Security Council reiterated that the DPRK shall refrain from further actions in violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions and comply fully with its obligations under these resolutions.
Recalling the Security Council’s unanimous adoption of resolution 2270 (2016) on 2 March, the members of the Security Council expressed grave concern over the DPRK’s reaction to that resolution and its demands. The members of the Security Council therefore are determined to ensure that resolution 2270 (2016) is implemented fully.
In light of these recent violations, the members of the Security Council emphasized the importance of the work of the Security Council’s Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006), and urged all Member States to redouble their efforts to implement the measures imposed in all relevant Security Council resolutions.
The members of the Security Council reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in North-East Asia at large, expressed their commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the situation and welcomed efforts by Council members as well as other States to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive solution through dialogue.
The members of the Security Council agreed that the Security Council would continue to closely monitor the situation and act as appropriate.