G7 Calls for "Additional Significant Measures by UN Security Council" on North Korea's ICBM Launch

North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) 'Hwasong-17' [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Group of Seven (G7) strongly condemned North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch on the 20th (local time) and called for the United Nations (UN) Security Council to take "further significant measures."

The G7 foreign ministers issued a statement two days after North Korea's ICBM launch, stating, "North Korea's actions demand a unified and resolute response from the international community, including the need for further significant measures by the UN Security Council." They emphasized, "We urge all countries to fully and effectively implement UN Security Council measures and sanctions against North Korea and to treat the threat posed by North Korea's weapons of mass destruction as an urgent priority."

The G7 foreign ministers pointed out North Korea's successive ballistic missile provocations on the 18th, saying, "These reckless actions clearly demonstrate North Korea's intent to develop and diversify its nuclear weapons and missile capabilities, alongside evidence of ongoing nuclear-related activities." They added, "The unprecedented illegal ballistic missile launches conducted by North Korea in 2022, including multiple ICBMs and intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) that passed over Japan, pose a serious threat to regional and international peace and security and undermine the global non-proliferation regime."

They further stated, "The G7 expresses full solidarity with South Korea and Japan and calls on North Korea to cease its destabilizing actions."

This statement was released a day before the UN Security Council's planned open meeting on the 21st to discuss North Korea's non-proliferation issues. It is interpreted as a call for the permanent members China and Russia to play a role. Earlier in May, the UN Security Council, led by the United States, put forward a resolution for additional sanctions against North Korea in response to its ICBM launch, but it was vetoed by China and Russia.

According to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korea launched one ICBM named "Hwasong-17" toward the East Sea from the Pyongyang Sunan area at around 10:15 a.m. Korean time on the 18th. This ICBM was detected flying approximately 1,000 km in distance, reaching an altitude of about 6,100 km, and traveling at a speed of about Mach 22, and is analyzed to be capable of striking the entire U.S. mainland.