The United Nations Security Council has adopted a Presidential Statement strongly condemning North Korea’s recent failed attempt to launch a satellite using ballistic technology. “The swift and unanimous adoption of this strong presidential statement,” said U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice, “shows that the international community is united in sending a clear message to North Korea that such provocations are serious and totally unacceptable.”
The Security Council made clear that any such launch, even if characterized as a satellite launch or space launch vehicle, is a “serious violation” of Security Council resolutions 1718 and 1874. The launch has caused grave security concerns in the region.
The Security Council has demanded that North Korea not proceed with any further launches using ballistic missile technology and that North Korea comply with its obligations under previous Security Council resolutions by suspending all activities related to its ballistic missile program and reestablishing a moratorium on missile launches. The Security Council also demanded that North Korea comply with its obligations under previous Security Council resolutions, including that it abandon its nuclear programs, cease all related activities, and not conduct any further launch, any nuclear test, or any further provocations.
To ensure that there are consequences for North Korea’s actions, the Security Council directed its North Korea Sanctions Committee to make another round of targeted sanctions designations of North Korean entities and identify and ban additional proliferation-sensitive technology from being transferred to or from North Korea. The Committee will take steps to improve enforcement of existing sanctions.
The United States, for its part, will propose to the North Korea Sanctions Committee a package of new designations, including the names of companies responsible for North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and a list of technical items that North Korea needs to proceed with its illicit programs.
“North Korea,” said President Barack Obama, “is only further isolating itself by engaging in provocative acts, and is wasting its money on weapons and propaganda displays while the North Korean people go hungry. . . . North Korea will only show strength and find security by abiding by international law, living up to its obligations, and by working to feed its citizens.”
The Security Council made clear that any such launch is a “serious violation” of resolutions 1718 and 1874.
