Describing North Korea’s nuclear test as highly provocative, the United States of America today said countries around the world, including every member of the Security Council, agreed that this test was an extremely regrettable act that further undermines international peace and security, as well as that of the region.
In her remarks in New York, US Permanent Mission to the UN Ambassador Susan Rice says the nuclear test directly violates the DPRK’s obligations under several unanimous Security Council resolutions, including 1718, 1874, and 2087.
“Moreover, the test contravenes North Korea’s commitments under the September 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks and increases the risk of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.” – Ms. Rice
Ms. Rice says North Korea does not and will not benefit from violating international law.
In addition, Ms. Rice states that far from achieving its stated goal of becoming a strong and prosperous nation, the DPRK has instead increasingly isolated and impoverished its people through its ill-advised pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.
North Korea’s continued work on its nuclear and missile programs seriously undermines regional and international peace and security and threatens the security of a number of countries, including the United States, Ms. Rice stated.
She cites when the Council responded to the last DPRK provocation and violation of its obligations, the Council said that it was clearly committed in Resolution 2087 to take, and she quotes, “significant action” in the event of any further launch using ballistic missile technology or another nuclear test.
According to Ms. Rice, to address the persistent danger posed by North Korea’s threatening activities, the UN Security Council must and will deliver a swift, credible, and strong response by way of a Security Council resolution that further impedes the growth of DPRK’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs and its ability to engage in proliferation activities.
In the days ahead, the US will consult closely with other Council members and concerned UN member states to pursue appropriate further action.
Reports say a third underground nuclear test was conducted successfully by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
In addition, the DPRK continued with nuclear tests targeting and defying the United States, stating its “sworn enemy” following the Security Council adopted a resolution condemning its Dec. 12 rocket launch.
UN Condemns the Nuclear Test
Earlier this week, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also condemned the test, saying it is “a clear and grave violation” of the Security Council resolutions.
Ban’s spokesman conveyed the UN’s chief message that the nuclear test is deplorable that Pyongyang defied the strong call from the international community to refrain from any further provocative measures.
NATO condemns the nuclear test
NATO reportedly condemned the nuclear test conducted earlier this week by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) as a “grave threat” to international security.
Reports say NATO called on the DPRK to cease immediately such provocative actions and to comply with international law and UN Security Council resolutions.
US on Denuclearizing North Korea
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.
The new 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 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.
