News / Koreas

UNSC deplores N Korea’s latest unsuccessful missile test

Saturday, 16 April 2016 4:59 AM [ Last Update: Saturday, 16 April 2016 4:58 AM ]

The photo shows an overall view of the UN Security Council in session. ©AFP

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has denounced North Korea’s reported unsuccessful test-firing of a missile, warning that it could take further punitive measures against Pyongyang.

In a statement issued on Friday, the 15-member council “strongly condemned” the launch, adding that the move “constituted a clear violation” of UN resolutions although it ended in failure.

The council further noted that it would closely monitor the situation and was ready to "take further significant measures" against North Korea.

The United States and South Korea said on Friday that Pyongyang had failed in its attempt to launch what was believed to be an intermediate-range ballistic missile.

The launch came on North Korea’s so-called Day of the Sun, which marks the birthday anniversary of the country’s founding leader Kim Il-sung, the grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-un.

Pyongyang has not made any comments on the Friday reports so far.

North Korea launched a long-range rocket in February, which according to Pyongyang was aimed at placing an earth observation satellite into orbit. However, Washington and Seoul described the practice as a cover for an intercontinental ballistic missile test.

Pyongyang declared itself a nuclear power in 2005 and carried out four nuclear weapons tests in 2006, 2009, 2013 and 2016.

South Korean army soldiers pass by a TV news program showing a file footage of a missile launch conducted by North Korea at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, April 15, 2016. ©AP

In March, the UNSC unanimously approved the toughest sanctions on North Korea in two decades over its missile and nuclear tests.

Chinese state media censure N Korea missile test

In another development on Friday, China’s official Xinhua news agency said in an English language commentary that the firing of a mid-range ballistic missile, though failed, “marks the latest in a string of saber-rattling that, if unchecked, will lead the country to nowhere.”

“... Nuclear weapons will not make Pyongyang safer. On the contrary, its costly military endeavors will keep on suffocating its economy,” the commentary added.

North Korea has pledged to develop a nuclear arsenal in an effort "to protect itself from the US military", which occasionally deploys nuclear-powered warships and aircraft capable of carrying atomic weapons in the region.

Washington also holds joint military maneuvers with Seoul, which Pyongyang views as preparations for war and a direct threat against its security.

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