North Korea in Hot Seat Again!
North Korea again came under the scrutiny of the global community after it launched a long-range rocket carrying what it called “a satellite.”
The United States of America expressed strong condemnation of the missile launch by DPRK, calling the act a flagrant violation of UN Security Council Resolutions related to D.P.R.K. use of ballistic missile technology.
In his remarks in Washington DC, US Secretary of State John Kerry said this is the second time in just over a month that the D.P.R.K. has chosen to conduct a major provocation, threatening not only the security of the Korean peninsula, but that of the region and the United States as well.
“We reaffirm our ironclad commitment to the defense of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan. We will continue to work with our partners and members of the UN Security Council on significant measures to hold the D.P.R.K. to account.” – Secretary Kerry
In addition, as the news was spreading like wildfire, the U.N. Security Council expressed condemnation over the missile launch by North Korea. The world body said it will respond with significant measures after Pyongyang’s violations of U.N. resolutions.
Calling For Firm Measures
Secretary Kerry highlighted that the latest violation by the communist country calls for a firm and united way. It demands measures that make clear the determination of the international community to address the pursuit of nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities by the D.P.R.K.
North Korea Undeterred to Launch Missile
Although North Korea asserted it had notified United Nations agencies that it planned to launch a rocket carrying an Earth observation satellite, many however believed the test was used for a long-range missile.
The satellite was named Kwangmyongsongm, nameed after the former leader Kim Jong Il. Reports say the launch was a “complete success” and it was already making a polar orbit of Earth.
Hydrogen Bomb Test in January 2016
Last month, North Korea, after reporting that it conducted a hydrogen bomb test, came under fire from around the world. The United States of America, its allies and even China expressed strong condemnation of the supposed nuclear test by the communist country.
North Korea’s state-run TV announced that the country successfully performed its first hydrogen bomb test at 10:00 am on January 6, 2016.
US On Denuclearizing North Korea
The United States remains committed to a denuclearized North Korea that respects the rights of its citizens.
In June 2009, the United Nations unanimously adopted resolution 1874, imposing stricter sanctions on the recalcitrant regime.
That resolution has 34 points, the first of which “Condemns in the strongest terms the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK on 25 May 2009 (local time) in violation and flagrant disregard of its relevant resolutions, in particular resolutions 1695 (2006) and 1718 (2006), and the statement of its President of 13 April 2009 (S/PRST/2009/7).”
Since the adoption of Resolution 1874, countries have intercepted and seized tons of contraband cargo, including a massive arms shipment uncovered by Thailand in December. These interdictions show that some countries are taking seriously their obligations to enforce these tough new measures. The United States will continue to press on sanctions implementation until there is concrete, verifiable progress on denuclearization.
Advancing human rights is a top U.S. priority in US North Korea policy as well and is among the primary factors that will determine if any long-term improvement between the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) will be possible.
The Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2094, strongly condemning North Korea’s highly provocative February 12 nuclear test and imposing significant new sanctions under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
The US says the strength, breadth, and severity of these sanctions will raise the cost to North Korea of its illicit nuclear program and further constrain its ability to finance and source materials and technology for its ballistic missile, conventional, and nuclear weapons programs.
