North Korea defends missile launch at UN

The launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea it was an exercise of his right to self-defense “to deter dangerous military movements by hostile forces and to safeguard the security of our State”the country’s representative said on Thursday in an unusual appearance before the Security Council of the UN.

The 15-member Security Council met after North Korea said it had tested its latest Hwasong-18 ICBM missile on Wednesday, adding that the weapon is the core of its nuclear strike force.

“We categorically reject and condemn the calling of the Security Council briefing by the United States and its supporters”North Korean ambassador to the UN, Kim Song, told the Council.

North Korea last spoke at a council meeting on its nuclear and ballistic missile programs in December 2017, diplomats said.

North Korea – formally known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) – has been under UN sanctions over its missile and nuclear programs since 2006. This includes a ban on the development of ballistic missiles.

In recent years, the Council has been divided on how to treat Pyongyang. Russia and China, holding a veto along with the United States, Britain and France, have said more sanctions will not help and want the measures scaled back.

China and Russia blame joint US-South Korean military exercises for provoking Pyongyang, while Washington accuses Beijing and Moscow of encouraging North Korea by shielding it from more sanctions.

“Russia and China have prevented this Council from speaking with one voice. And with these repeated releases, Pyongyang is showing that he is encouraged.” United States Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Jeffrey DeLaurentis testified before the Council.

Source: Reuters