The US, Britain, the UAE and six other nations condemned North Korea in the “strongest terms” on Friday over the firing of an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) at the weekend, the first test of such a long-distance weapon since 2017.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, read a joint statement from the group, which also included Albania, Brazil, France, Ireland, Japan and Norway, condemning North Korea’s battery of missile tests in recent weeks.
“This IRBM marks the regime’s longest-range test since late 2017,” Ms Thomas-Greenfield told reporters after closed-door Security Council talks in New York.
“It also marks a new and troubling record — the nine ballistic missiles launched in January is the largest number of launches [North Korea] has conducted in a single month in the history of its WMD and ballistic missile programmes.”
The 15-nation council should “speak with one voice in condemning these dangerous and unlawful acts”, she added.
Washington called for emergency Security Council talks after North Korea on Sunday launched what Pyongyang called a Hwasong-12 “ground-to-ground intermediate- and long-range ballistic missile”.
North Korea last month test-launched “hypersonic missiles” capable of high speeds and manoeuvring after lift-off and carried out another weapons test involving a railway-borne missile system.
The flurry of launches prompted US condemnation and a push for new UN sanctions.
China is North Korea’s only ally on the council. China and Russia have in the past backed sanctions against Pyongyang to curtail its arms tests, but also argue against more pressure on the country and have even asked for sanctions relief on humanitarian grounds.
The two veto-wielding council members last month delayed a US effort to slap UN sanctions on five North Koreans, who Washington says are connected to Pyongyang’s ballistic missile programme.
Ms Thomas-Greenfield said “the cost of the council’s ongoing silence is too high".
“It will embolden [North Korea] to further defy the international community, to normalise its violations of Security Council resolutions, to further destabilise the region and to continue to threaten international peace and security,” she added.
China’s UN ambassador Zhang Jun on Friday told reporters the US should avoid a “vicious circle” of “confrontation, condemnation and sanctions” against North Korea and offer “policies and actions accommodating the concerns” of the hermit nation.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping closed ranks on Friday during talks at the Beijing Winter Olympics, presenting a united front against the West.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un messaged the Chinese leader congratulating him for a “great victory” in hosting the winter sport event and calling for stronger ties between their countries, a state-run news agency reported on Friday.
Pyongyang defends its missile launches as its sovereign right to self-defence and accuses the US of double standards.
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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends the eighth conference of military educationists of the Korean People's Army at the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang. Korean Central News Agency / AFP -
Kim Jong-un attends a military parade marking the ruling party congress at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang in January 2021. KCNA / AP -
Kim Jong-un is applauded by a military unit after what North Korea claimed was a test firing of its 'super-large' multiple rocket launcher in November 2019. KCNA / AP -
Kim Jong-un rides a horse to climb Mount Paektu in North Korea in October 2019. KCNA / AP -
Kim Jong-un and former US president Donald Trump shake hands over the military demarcation line at the border village of Panmunjom in the demilitarised zone in June 2019. KCNA / AP -
Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in raise their hands after signing a joint statement in Panmunjom in April 2018. Korea Summit Press Pool / AP -
Kim Jong-un inspects a launch drill of the medium and long-range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12 at an undisclosed location in September 2017. KCNA / AFP -
Kim Jong-un smiles with soldiers after inspecting the multiple-rocket launching drill of the women's sub-units under the Korean People's Army Unit 851 at an undisclosed location in North Korea, April 2014. KCNA / AFP -
Kim Jong-un talks to former NBA star Dennis Rodman as they watch an exhibition basketball game at an indoor stadium in Pyongyang in January 2014. KCNA / AP -
Kim Jong-un inspects a mass parade of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang to mark the 65th anniversary of national foundation day, September 2013. KCNA / AFP -
Kim Jong-un visits watch posts of KPA Unit 507 in the Kangwon province of North Korea, June 2013. KCNA / AFP -
Kim Jong-un enjoys the ride as he attends the completion ceremony of the Rungna People's Pleasure Ground in Pyongyang in July 2012. KCNA / AP -
Kim Jong-un is surrounded by members of the Korean Children's Union in Pyongyang in June 2012. KCNA / AFP -
Kim Jong-un attends a meeting of the Supreme People's Assembly in Pyongyang in April 2012. KCNA / AFP -
Kim Jong-un aims a gun on an inspection tour of the Sporting Bullet Factory in Pyongyang in February 2012. KCNA / AFP -
Kim Jong-un salutes besides the convoy carrying the body of his father and late leader Kim Jong-il at Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang in December 2011. KCNA / AFP -
Late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il with his son Kim Jong-un on the balcony as they attend a military parade marking the 65th anniversary of the communist nation's ruling Workers' Party in Pyongyang, October 2010. Kyodo News / AP -
Kim Il-sung with his son and chosen successor, Kim Jong-il in November 1986. KCNA / AFP
