North Korea warns UN to ‘think of the consequences’ of criticising its missile programme and accuses international body of ‘double standards’
- North Korean Foreign Ministry official said the UN implements a ‘double-dealing standard’ in its ban on North Korean missile launches
- Jo Chol Su warned the UN council it ‘had better think what consequences it will bring if it tries to encroach upon the sovereignty’ of North Korea
- The pariah state has conducted a series of launches in recent weeks of hypersonic missiles, ballistic missiles and a nuclear-capable armaments
North Korea on Sunday issued a stark warning to the UN Security Council and said the international security body had ‘better think about the consequences’ of criticising the isolated country’s missile program.
Jo Chol Su, a senior North Korean Foreign Ministry official, warned the UN council it ‘had better think what consequences it will bring in the future if it tries to encroach upon the sovereignty’ of North Korea, according to state news agency KCNA.
Jo also accused the UN body of a ‘double-dealing standard’ because it doesn’t equally take issue with similar weapons tests by the United States and its allies, according to the statement circulated by KCNA.
The council met behind closed doors on Friday upon requests from the United States and other countries over the North’s recent missile launches.
During the meeting, France circulated a proposed statement that expresses concern over North Korea’s missile launches and called on the council to enforce its ban the pariah state’s ballistic missile firings.
The Friday meeting came just one day after Pyongyang fired a newly developed anti-aircraft missile, the latest in a recent series of weapons tests including the launches of a previously unseen hypersonic missiles, ballistic missiles and a cruise missile with potential nuclear capabilities.
This image provided by the North Korean government shows what North Korea claims to be a new hypersonic missile launched from Toyang-ri, Ryongrim County, Jagang Province, North Korea earlier this week
North Korea on Sunday warned the United Nation’s top security body against making any statements criticising the isolated country’s missile program, promising future consequences if the UN encroaches on the pariah state’s sovereignty
The isolated state has refused to abide by the UN security council law banning its launch of missiles because it condemns America’s ‘hostile policy’. Most of North Korea’s population of 25 million suffer from widespread famine and live in horrendous conditions
After a six-month hiatus, North Korea resumed missile tests in September, launching newly developed missiles including nuclear-capable weapons that place South Korea and Japan, both key US allies, within their striking distances.
Under multiple UN Security Council resolutions, North Korea is banned from engaging in any ballistic missile activities as the country aims to mount nuclear weapons on its ballistic missiles.
North Korea has argued its nuclear program is meant to cope with US military threats, though Washington has said it has no hostile intent toward Pyongyang.
In his statement reported by KCNA, Jo Chol Su hit out at the UN, and specifically the US, for their treatment and condemnation of North Korea’s weapons program.
‘This is a denial of impartiality, objectivity and equilibrium, which are lifelines of UN activities, and an evident manifestation of double-dealing standard,’ Jo said, adding that UN states would face consequences if it continues a ‘US-style brigandish way of thinking and judgment.’
US officials have urged North Korea to return to talks without preconditions and consider putting an end to its missile development in return for sanctions relief.
But the isolated state has refused to do so because it condemns America’s ‘hostile policy,’ in an apparent reference to the sanctions and regular military drills between Washington and Seoul.
Meanwhile, North Korea’s spate of missile tests have underscored how the reclusive state has been constantly developing increasingly sophisticated weapons, despite almost all of its 25 million people suffering widespread famine and living in horrendous conditions.
People watch a television news broadcast showing file footage of a North Korean missile test, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea on September 28, 2021
North Korea’s spate of missile tests have underscored how the reclusive state has been constantly developing increasingly sophisticated weapons, despite almost all of its 25 million people suffering widespread famine and living in horrendous conditions
The latest tests have sparked international condemnation, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying they created ‘greater prospects for instability and insecurity’.
The US had previously criticised the launches as ‘destabilising’ and posing regional threats, but reiterated it has no ‘hostile intent’ toward North Korea, urging it to accept offers to resume negotiations.
White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Friday that Washington remained ready to discuss a ‘full range of issues.’
‘We’ve made specific proposals for discussions with the North Koreans, but have not received a response to date,’ she told reporters.
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