Europe's 6 Countries Condemn North Korea's Missile Launches and Provocative Actions

"Clear Violation of Security Council Resolution"

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un observed a tactical guided weapon test firing on the 21st, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 22nd.

The European members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemned North Korea's recent repeated missile launches, AFP reported.

On the 31st (local time), Germany, Belgium, Estonia, the United Kingdom, Poland, and France issued a joint statement following an informal UNSC virtual meeting, expressing "deep concern over the repeated missile tests using ballistic missile technology" by North Korea.

North Korea launched two projectiles presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles on the 29th, marking the fourth launch this month alone.

They pointed out that North Korea's projectile launches not only undermine regional security and stability as well as international peace and security but also "clearly violate the unanimously adopted UN Security Council resolutions."

The six European members assessed that the repeated missile launches reveal North Korea's continued efforts to develop short-range ballistic missiles and expand its ballistic missile program and arsenal. They added that "(North Korea) is also continuing to operate its nuclear weapons program."

The informal meeting, held on the last day of China's term as UNSC president?China being North Korea's key ally?was convened at the request of the European members.

Meanwhile, the United Nations provided North Korea with $900,000 in funding necessary for COVID-19 prevention measures.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) website on the 1st, this funding was allocated to provide health services related to COVID-19.

The World Health Organization (WHO) executed the funds, conducting national-level monitoring, case investigations, infection prevention, and management.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.