Foreign Ministry on Kim Yo-jong's 2nd Launch Warning: "Regret Provocative Threat... Withdraw It"

"Regret over North Korea's Threat to Launch Second Reconnaissance Satellite... Plan Must Be Withdrawn"

On the 1st, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately expressed regret over North Korea's claim of legitimacy for its military reconnaissance satellite launch and its threat of a second launch. It also urged the withdrawal of the launch plan.

At a regular briefing that day, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-seok stated this in response to Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party of Korea, criticizing the United States for condemning North Korea's reconnaissance satellite launch and declaring that North Korea would continue to pursue the satellite launch. Spokesperson Lim said, "North Korea's so-called long-range ballistic missile launch under the pretext of a satellite launch is a serious provocation that threatens peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the international community, and constitutes a grave violation of UN Security Council resolutions regardless of its success."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Spokesperson Lim emphasized, "North Korea's denial of the Security Council resolutions, which embody the consensus of the international community, can never be justified for any reason," and added, "The government is closely monitoring North Korea's additional launch trends and maintaining thorough preparedness while actively responding to North Korea's distorted claims." He also criticized, "North Korea repeatedly violates Security Council resolutions and continues to make distorted claims that shift responsibility to external parties such as South Korea and the United States."

The government is reportedly planning to consult with the United States and others soon to request an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). In this regard, a Foreign Ministry official stated, "We maintain the position that a firm and united response is necessary at the Security Council level regarding North Korea's repeated violations of Security Council resolutions."