US: "North Korea's Military Satellite Relaunch Violates UN Security Council... Cooperating with Allies"

The U.S. Department of Defense criticized North Korea's move to re-launch its military reconnaissance satellite as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and said on the 8th (local time) that it is continuing close consultations with its allies.

Patrick Ryder, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, stated at a briefing that the possibility of North Korea re-launching the military reconnaissance satellite after a failed launch is "a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and destabilizing to the situation."

He said, "North Korea has expressed its intention to re-launch, and it must be aware that many leaders of the U.S. and the international community, including Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, have condemned the recent launch. We will continue close consultations with South Korea, Japan, as well as other regional allies and partners to discuss this situation and deter potential provocations," emphasizing the point.

North Korea launched the launch vehicle "Chollima-1" carrying the military reconnaissance satellite "Malligyung-1" on the 31st of last month but failed. The international community, including South Korea and the U.S., criticized North Korea for using long-range ballistic missile technology, stating it violates UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea, but North Korea has vowed to re-launch.

In this regard, the UN Security Council held an open meeting on the 2nd but failed to adopt a condemnation statement or additional sanctions resolution due to opposition from China and Russia.

Additionally, spokesperson Ryder announced that Colin Kahl, U.S. Department of Defense Under Secretary for Policy, is scheduled to depart this week to visit Hawaii, South Korea, and Japan in sequence.

He emphasized, "Under Secretary Kahl will meet with the command of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii and hold meetings with various counterparts in South Korea and Japan to further strengthen the ironclad alliances and partnerships in the region."