UN Security Council condemns DPRK's missile launch

The UN Security Council on Thursday strongly condemned the most recent ballistic missile launch conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

On Wednesday, the DPRK test-fired a ballistic missile into eastern waters, according to the Republic of Korea defense ministry.

In a press statement issued here, the 15-nation council said that the launch is in grave violation of the DPRK's international obligations under UN Security Council resolutions.

The council members deplored all DPRK's ballistic missile activities, noting that "such activities are contributing to the DPRK's development of nuclear weapons delivery systems and are significantly increasing tension in the region and beyond."

"The members of the Security Council reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in North-East Asia at large, expressed their commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the situation and welcomed efforts by Council members, as well as other States, to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive solution through dialogue," said the statement.

The most powerful UN body also demanded the DPRK to refrain from further actions in violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions and comply fully with its obligations under these resolutions.

"The members of the Security Council emphasized the vital importance of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea showing sincere commitment to denuclearization and stressed the importance of working to reduce tensions in the Korean Peninsula and beyond," it added. Enditem