North Korea "Ballistic Missile Test Launch"... UN Security Council Sanctions Committee Convened

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] North Korea officially confirmed on the 25th that it launched two ballistic missiles, increasing the possibility of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions. The Security Council is convening its Sanctions Committee on North Korea to discuss the issue. U.S. President Joe Biden also pointed out that this violates Security Council sanctions, heightening tensions between North Korea and the United States.

The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers' Party of Korea, reported on the 26th that "the National Defense Science Institute conducted a test launch of a newly developed tactical guided missile on the 25th." Ri Pyong-chol, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Military Commission, along with officials from the Workers' Party's Military Industry Department and the National Defense Science Research sector, supervised the test, while Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, did not attend.

The Rodong Sinmun stated, "The two newly tested tactical guided missiles are weapon systems that utilize the core technology of previously developed tactical guided missiles, with an upgraded warhead weight of 2.5 tons (t)," and reported that "the missiles accurately struck designated targets in a 600 km area over the East Sea of Korea." Vice Chairman Ri evaluated the weapons test as "of great significance in strengthening our military power and deterring various military threats present on the Korean Peninsula."

The U.S. responded strongly to North Korea's ballistic missile launch. President Biden warned during his first press conference on the 25th (local time) after taking office, saying, "North Korea's ballistic missile test launch violates UNSC Resolution 1718," and added, "If North Korea wants to escalate tensions, the U.S. will respond accordingly." Resolution 1718 was adopted in response to North Korea's first nuclear test in 2006. The U.S. State Department also issued a statement condemning North Korea's missile test. This marks a shift in tone compared to the Trump administration, which did not make a big issue of short-range ballistic missiles.

The Security Council took immediate action. According to foreign media, the Security Council is convening its Sanctions Committee on North Korea on the 26th (local time) at the request of the U.S. to discuss the North Korean missile issue. The Blue House did not issue a separate statement regarding the series of developments, including the public confirmation of North Korea's ballistic missile launch, on the same day.

Jung Se-hyun, Senior Vice Chairman of the National Unification Advisory Council, appeared on Tbs Radio's "Kim Eo-jun's News Factory" on the same day and commented on the background of North Korea's ballistic missile launch: "As the U.S. is about to complete its review of North Korea policy, North Korea is signaling that if pressured, it will respond more strongly with a tit-for-tat approach." He added, "If the U.S. manages its North Korea policy well through consultations with allies such as South Korea and Japan, North Korea will behave more quietly, and that is the meaning behind this action."

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