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U.S. Strongly Condemns North Korea ICBM Launch


he intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14 is seen during its test in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency.
he intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14 is seen during its test in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency.

“All nations should publicly demonstrate to North Korea that there are consequences to their pursuit of nuclear weapons.”

The United States strongly condemns North Korea's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile. “Testing an ICBM represents a new escalation of the threat to the United States, our allies and partners, the region, and the world,” said U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Global action is required to stop a global threat."
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

“Global action is required to stop a global threat. Any country that hosts North Korean guest workers, provides any economic or military benefits, or fails to fully implement UN Security Council resolutions is aiding and abetting a dangerous regime,” said Secretary Tillerson. “All nations should publicly demonstrate to North Korea that there are consequences to their pursuit of nuclear weapons.”

The United Nations secretary general, António Guterres, criticized the North Korean launch. “This action is yet another brazen violation of Security Council resolutions and constitutes a dangerous escalation of the situation,” he said in a statement. Mr. Guterres called on North Korea to “cease further provocative actions and comply fully with its international obligations.”

On July 5, during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley stated,

“In the coming days, we will bring before the Security Council a resolution that raises the international response in a way that is proportionate to North Korea’s new escalation.”

In the meantime, the Department of Defense made clear that the United States remains prepared to defend itself and its allies using the full range of capabilities at its disposal against the growing threat from North Korea. Indeed, the U.S. followed up the ICBM launch with a joint military exercise with South Korea in which United States and South Korean forces fired ballistic missiles in the waters along the Korean Peninsula’s east coast.

In a written statement, Chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana White said, "Our commitment to the defense of our allies, the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, remains ironclad."

The United States seeks only the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the end of threatening actions by North Korea. “As we, along with others, have made clear,” said Secretary Tillerson, “we will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea.”

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