North Korea’s latest missile launch is a ‘serious threat’ to regional stability

The missile was launched at about 7:11 a.m. on October 31 local time, and is said to have flown for 1 hour and 26 minutes, covering about 1,000 km, reaching an altitude of more than 7,000 km before falling into the sea.

“The DPRK described this latest missile launch as a ‘very important test’ aimed at ‘updating recent records of the DPRK’s strategic missile capabilities,'” said Khaled Khiari, . Assistant Secretary General for Asia at the United Nations Political Department, told ambassadors.

“Hwasong-19 sets new records for flight time and altitude and is the second solid-fuel ICBM developed by the DPRK that does not require refueling before launch. It is said to be larger than its predecessor, the Hwasong-18, and could carry a larger warhead or even multiple warheads.”

This latest test marked the 11th launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – commonly known as North Korea – since announcing a new five-year military expansion plan in 2021.

Significant diplomatic engagement

Mr. Khiari noted that the launch also posed “serious risks” to international maritime traffic and civil aviation, with the possibility of unintended incidents occurring because North Korea did not issue security warnings. full.

“The DPRK’s launch of another ICBM is of deep concern and a serious threat to regional stability.,” he declared, noting that despite numerous meetings of Security Council in 2023 and 2024, the country “did not heed calls to limit further launches.”

Secretary General António Guterres also condemned the missile launch, calling on the country to de-escalate tensions and comply with international resolutions. He emphasized that diplomatic engagement remains “the only path to sustainable peace and complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”

Maintain a nuclear non-proliferation regime

Mr. Khiari also expressed concern about rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula, warning that North Korea’s “persistent pursuit” of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs violates UN resolutions. Security Council – continues to weaken the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime.

“Practical measures are needed to reduce tensions and reverse this dangerous trajectory,” he said, calling on Member States to promote an environment conducive to dialogue and cooperation.

Concluding his meeting, Mr. Khiari said that the United Nations and its partners are ready to assist North Korea in addressing the basic needs of its people.

He called on the country to create favorable conditions for the United Nations Resident Coordinator and the United Nations Country Team to lead the full humanitarian return effort..

Holding North Korea responsible: United States

US Ambassador and Alternate Permanent Representative Robert Wood described North Korea’s missile launches as “direct violations” of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions, with each launch allowing Pyongyang further develop its weapons programs.

“These are unacceptable efforts to undermine global peace and security and make us all less safe. This council has the responsibility to hold the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea accountable,” he said.

“However, we are here today because two members of this Council – China and Russia – have repeatedly sheltered North Korea, contributed to the normalization of these tests and encouraged North Korea to Tien continues to violate sanctions and resolutions of this Council.”

He charged that “Russia’s willingness to openly violate this Council’s sanctions resolutions and endanger international peace and security knows no bounds – because Russia is training North Korean soldiers illegally on its territory”.

He stated that North Korea has sent “about 10,000” soldiers to Russia and added that these troops have not yet been deployed to fight against Ukrainian forces, “but we anticipate they will do so in the coming days”.

“If these troops participate in combat or combat support operations against Ukraine, they will make themselves legitimate military targets,” he noted.

Japan: Missiles ‘more threatening than ever’

Japanese Ambassador Yamazaki Kazuyuki “strongly urged” North Korea not to conduct further launches, to immediately and fully comply with all relevant Security Council resolutions, and to participate in diplomatic activities and accepting repeated requests for dialogue.

The most recent ICBM landed just about 200 kilometers off the Japanese island of Hokkaido and is “more threatening than ever” due to its trajectory and flight time, he said.

He added: “This launch has worsened not only the regional but global security situation, and brought the most serious threat from North Korea to every citizen in the region and beyond. that too”.

Ambassador Yamazaki said the strengthening of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea poses a great concern to the international community.

He noted the lawlessness of Russia’s “purchase of ballistic missiles from North Korea as well as the training of North Korean soldiers, both of which are serious violations of relevant Security Council resolutions.”

He added that “North Korea’s participation in Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine would constitute a serious violation of international law, including international law.” UN Charter.”

South Korea: Missiles are a distraction

Joonkook Hwang, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of South Korea, recalled last week’s Security Council meeting and Pyongyang’s ignoring “persistent calls” for restraint.

“North Korea launched another ICBM shortly after our meeting last Wednesday,” he said, adding: “their intention may have been to distract the world’s attention from the armed forces.” their team in Russia, proving themselves larger than life or gaining diplomatic leverage amid the election of a US President.” elector.”

Questioning how an “impoverished regime” could continue to develop its ballistic missile program despite the “severe” sanctions regime imposed by the Security Council, he emphasized the The presence of “major vulnerabilities” allows North Korea to access the equipment, materials and technology needed to advance its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs.

He also warned of the challenges facing the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT).

“Once the NPT regime begins to erode and eventually collapse, restoring it will be extremely difficult,” he said.

“The consequences will have a profound and lasting impact on international peace and security, and the permanent Members of the Security Council will not be spared.”

China: Prioritize peace and stability

Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong said that the current situation on the Korean Peninsula “remains tense” with increasing antagonism that is not beneficial to any side.

“China calls on all parties to pay attention to common peace and stability on the Peninsula and the world at large, exercise calm and restraint, and avoid increasing and escalating tensions,” he said.

He noted that the long-term problem of the Korean Peninsula is essentially a security issue, with its roots rooted in the vestiges of the Cold War and the lack of mutual trust between the United States and the DPRK.

“It is imperative for all parties to take a reasonable and realistic approach and make efforts to build mutual trust,” Ambassador Fu said.

He added that the United States, while stating that it seeks to maintain the international non-proliferation regime and denuclearize the Peninsula, “has continued to increase the deployment of its strategic forces I… a nuclear-armed country within the framework of AUKUS nuclear submarine cooperation.”

“These moves are equivalent to pushing the threat to the doorstep of China and other countries in the region, seriously endangering regional security and upsetting the strategic security balance,” he said. ”.

Russia: The West only seeks to defame North Korea

Anna Evstigneeva, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia, said “the collective West is methodically using” the Security Council to hold Pyongyang responsible for the deteriorating situation on the Peninsula.

“We neither expect nor hear anything new from the group of countries that requested today’s meeting,” she said, adding that “the purpose of convening the meeting is the same every time – to takes another step toward defaming the DPRK. ”

She said it would be “interesting” to hear from meeting requesters whether even one of these meetings would have any impact on solving the Peninsula’s problems, whether they whether to offer a constructive suggestion or initiate dialogue.

“The answer is clear to everyone in this Chamber.”

She added that the “real motive” of those who requested the meeting was to create a negative information context around Pyongyang and maintain ineffective sanctions and justify further steps. aggressive move by the US and its allies in the region.

North Korea: Meetings show Council’s ‘double standards’

Song Kim, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of North Korea, said the missile test conducted by his country on October 31, in the area surrounding the Korean Peninsula, did not have the “slightest” impact on security of neighboring countries.

He said the current meeting of the Security Council, convened at the request of the United States, goes against the spirit of the United Nations Charter on national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs. It also sets an example of “extreme double standards.”

He said: “I resolutely denounce the United Nations Security Council’s holding of another illegal meeting, violating the sovereign rights of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at the instigation of the United States and its supporting countries.” .

“Like all strategic weapons tests we have conducted to date, the test launch of the Hwasong-19 ICBM was an exercise of legitimate and lawful self-defense to protect the security of the country. Our state as well as the peace of the region is credibly concerned.” against the threat of recklessly escalating nuclear war by hostile forces,” he added.

Ambassador Kim further noted that “some countries” always talk about violating Security Council resolutions as a “panacea,” however, he added that these resolutions “ nothing but illegal documents” completely goes against the principle of sovereign equality between nations. UN Charter.