Ministry of Foreign Affairs Regular Briefing: Communication with UN Security Council Members on North Korea's Nuclear Missile Threat
Members Urge Unified Response
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that although the United Nations Security Council meeting to discuss North Korea's intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) launch ended without any concrete outcomes, it will continue to communicate closely with key member states and respond accordingly.
At a regular briefing on the 6th, Senior Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lim said, "Although no specific results were adopted during this open discussion, our government plans to continue close communication with major Security Council members, including the United States, at the Security Council level to respond to North Korea's nuclear missile threats."
A Foreign Ministry official explained, "Although no outcomes were produced, the majority of Security Council members attending the meeting emphasized the full implementation of sanctions resolutions."
Earlier, the Security Council held an open briefing on the 5th (local time) to discuss North Korea's IRBM launch on the 4th.
South Korea and Japan, though not Security Council members, also attended as stakeholders.
The Foreign Ministry official emphasized, "Due to disagreements among some permanent members, no press statement or outcome was adopted," adding, "Under the position that North Korea's recent successive missile provocations pose a very serious threat to international peace and stability, we are urging firm and unified responses from Security Council members."
Meanwhile, regarding the possibility that South Korea and allied countries may impose unilateral sanctions before North Korea carries out additional serious provocations, the Foreign Ministry official said, "Decisions on the content and timing of sanctions will be made considering various circumstances such as the form and level of provocations."
He added, "Under the principle that strong responses must be taken if North Korea conducts a seventh nuclear test or other serious provocations, we are reviewing unilateral sanctions and are in close consultation with allies including the United States and Japan to enhance the effectiveness of such sanctions."
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