Once Again, 'Useless' Without Watching... Possibility of Continued North Korean Missile Provocations

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held a closed-door meeting on the 7th (local time) regarding North Korea's ballistic missiles but failed to produce any significant outcome. Experts predict that North Korea is likely to continue its missile provocations in the future.

The Security Council convened a closed meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York during the day to discuss responses to North Korea's recent missile launches, but due to the non-cooperation of China and Russia, it failed to adopt a Security Council-level press statement.

Foreign media reported that the US and European Security Council members failed to secure support from China and Russia for a press statement condemning North Korea's ballistic missile launches. After the meeting, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US Ambassador to the UN, along with 11 countries, issued a joint statement criticizing the Security Council's silence.

China and Russia have shown a friendly stance toward North Korea in the Security Council. In January, the US requested adding North Korean individuals related to weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles to the Security Council sanctions list, but China and Russia requested a hold, effectively blocking the move.

Since the failure to adopt a Security Council statement this time was anticipated, experts analyze that North Korea is highly likely to continue missile launches. Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies said, "North Korea is asking the US to take a more proactive stance, but the US keeps repeating 'unconditional dialogue.' It is highly likely that North Korea will continue to launch missiles under the pretext of 'reconnaissance satellites' in the future."