On July 13, North Korea made a rare appearance at the United Nations Security Council to defend its recent ballistic missile launch, Reuters reports. The country's ambassador to the UN, Kim Song, stated that the test of a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) had no negative effect on the security of neighboring countries, citing Japan's acknowledgment that the missile landed outside its exclusive economic zone.
"Our test to fire a new type of ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) has no negative effect on the security of a neighboring country. Japan announced that our ICBM landed outside its exclusive economic zone and it is tantamount to Japan's acknowledgment, there is no risk posed to its security," Ambassador Kim Song stated.
Ambassador Kim Song further asserted that the missile launch was a necessary exercise of North Korea's right to self-defense, aimed at deterring hostile forces and ensuring the security and peace of the region.
"Our test to fire of a new type ICBM, the Hwasong-18, is a warrant to the exercise of the right to self-defense, to deter dangerous military moves of hostile forces and safeguard security of our state and peace in the region without fear," he emphasized.
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He categorically rejected and condemned the Security Council briefing convened by the United States and its allies, considering it a violation of the UN Charter and international law.
"We categorically reject and condemn the convening of the Security Council briefing by the United States and its followers, which encourage upon key players to meet the right to self-defense, since it constitutes an illegal and reckless act of violating the spirit of a U.N. charter and international law," Ambassador Kim Song asserted.
The Security Council meeting was held in response to North Korea's recent ICBM launch, which has raised concerns about the country's nuclear capabilities and the threat it poses to regional stability. South Korea's ambassador to the UN, Hwang Joon Kook, expressed disappointment at the Council's silence regarding North Korea's repeated and reckless behavior. He described the launch as a mockery of international norms and the functioning of the Security Council.
"It is deplorable that the Security Council has remained silent in the face of the DPRK's repeated and reckless behavior. It is a perfect example of its total disregard for international norms, as well as a brazen mockery of the functioning of the Security Council," South Korean Ambassador Hwang Joon Kook stated.
Representatives from the United States, Russia, and China also addressed the meeting. The United States strongly condemned the missile launch, characterizing it as unlawful and alarming but not surprising, given North Korea's previous threats and provocative actions.
"The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the DPRK's July 12 intercontinental ballistic missile launch. It is alarming, albeit hardly surprising, that we find ourselves back in the Council responding to yet another unlawful DPRK intercontinental ballistic missile launch," said Jeffrey DeLaurentis, the United States Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations.
Russia emphasized its opposition to any military activity that could threaten the security of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia.
"Russia has consistently opposed any military activity which would threaten the security of the Korean Peninsula and the countries of Northeast Asia," stated Anna Evstigneeva, the Deputy Russian Ambassador to the United Nations.
China reaffirmed its commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and emphasized its desire for peace and stability in the region through dialogue.
"China's position on the Korean Peninsula question is very clear. We are committed to the denuclearization of the peninsula, maintaining the peace and stability on the peninsula and the political settlement of the issue through dialogue," said Zhang Ju, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
North Korea's appearance at the Security Council meeting provided an opportunity for the country to defend its missile launch and assert its right to self-defense. The meeting highlighted the ongoing tensions and challenges posed by North Korea's nuclear ambitions, as well as the differing positions of key stakeholders in the region.
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