North Korea's Satellite Launch Imminent... US Says "Violation of Security Council Resolution"

The U.S. Department of State stated on the 17th (local time) that North Korea's announcement of completing preparations to load a 'military reconnaissance satellite' constitutes a launch using ballistic missile technology, which violates UN resolutions, and that it will hold North Korea accountable if a launch occurs.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State, said during a briefing that in response to questions about signs of North Korea's satellite launch and the response, "All launches by North Korea using ballistic missile technology include space launch vehicles (SLVs) used to send satellites into space, which violate multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions."

He explained, "We have many tools at our disposal to hold North Korea accountable," adding, "We have taken such measures and will continue to do so." He emphasized, "We have made it clear that we urge North Korea to refrain from further provocative actions and to engage in serious and sustained diplomacy," and also stressed, "We have been very clear about our unwavering commitment to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and our pursuit of dialogue with North Korea without preconditions."

The day before, North Korea announced that preparations to load the first military reconnaissance satellite had been completed. This comes one month after Chairman Kim Jong Un instructed that launch preparations be completed within the planned timeframe on May 18. It appears that only Kim's launch order remains.

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