White House Strongly Condemns North Korea's Violation of UN Security Council Resolutions

On the 30th (local time), the White House strongly condemned North Korea's launch of a military reconnaissance satellite, stating, "We strongly condemn the launch using North Korea's ballistic missile technology," and called for an immediate halt to provocations and a return to dialogue.

The White House National Security Council (NSC) issued a statement on the same day, strongly criticizing the launch as "a blatant multiple violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and a security-threatening act that escalates tensions in the region and beyond."

It added, "This launch, claimed to be a satellite, is directly related to North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program," and stated, "The President and the security team are assessing the situation in close coordination with allies and partners."

The White House also urged North Korea to return to the negotiating table. It requested, "All countries should condemn this launch and urge North Korea to return to the table for serious negotiations," warning, "The door to diplomacy is not yet closed, but North Korea must immediately cease provocative acts and choose engagement." It further stated, "The United States will take all necessary measures to guarantee the defense of the U.S. mainland and its allies in Korea and Japan."

Earlier, North Korea launched a space launch vehicle southward from the Dongchang-ri area in Pyonganbuk-do at around 6:27 a.m. Korean time on the 31st. This is the first time in seven years since February 7, 2016, when North Korea claimed to have launched a satellite with the 'Kwangmyongsong' rocket.

North Korea's National Aerospace Development Administration stated, "At 6:27, the military reconnaissance satellite 'Malligyong-1' was launched from the West Sea Satellite Launching Station in Cholsan County, Pyonganbuk-do, aboard the new satellite carrier rocket 'Chollima-1'." According to the Korean Central News Agency, "'Chollima-1' lost propulsion and fell into the West Sea after normal flight, following the separation of the first stage and an abnormal ignition of the second stage engine."

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