On March 16, North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile that flew 1,000 kilometers at an altitude of more than 6,000 meters. Three days later, he fired a short-range ballistic rocket to add 14 releases so far in 2023reported Monday the UN Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Peacebuilding in Europe, Central Asia and America.
In a session of Security CouncilMiroslav Jenca pointed out that last year, the Asian country increased its launches, firing some 70 ballistic missiles, explaining them as nuclear counterattack exercises.
Jenca warned that most of the systems that North Korea has tested have the capacity to attack countries in the immediate region and furthermore, he warned about the potential range of its intercontinental launches.
“The systems tested on March 16 and February 18, as well as on two occasions last year, are capable of reaching most points on Earth,” he stressed.
He added that all the operations have been carried out without prior notification of maritime or airspace security and recalled that unannounced launches “represent a serious risk to international civil aviation and maritime traffic”.
North Korean ballistic plans are still underway
UN information indicates that North Korea continues to implement its five-year military plan presented in January 2021, which provides for the development of new intercontinental range ballistic missiles solid propellant, multiple warheads, tactical nuclear weapons, a military reconnaissance satellite, new unmanned aerial systems, an intercontinental ballistic missile with a 15,000 km range, and a “gliding hypersonic warhead,” the senior official said.
He added that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported continued activity at the nuclear test site of Punggye-ri, as well as new construction at the Yongbyion nuclear facility and indications that the 5-megawatt nuclear reactor is operating.
Jenca alluded to the Pyongyang government’s statements of continue with its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programsin violation of the pertinent resolutions of the Security Council.
“The situation on the Korean Peninsula is heading in the wrong direction. Tensions continue to risewith no exit in sight,” he said.
Call for unity of the Security Council
In this sense, he considered that while the Security Council studies its options to reduce tensions in the region, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea should take immediate measures for the resumption of a dialogue for sustainable peace and complete denuclearization and verifiable release from the Korean peninsula, which means an end to nuclear tests and launches using ballistic technology.
Jenca also fought to improve communication channels, “particularly from military to military”, and urged reduce confrontational rhetoric to reduce political tensions and create a space to explore diplomatic channels.
Before finishing, the subhead of Political Affairs echoed the calls of the General secretary the North Korean government not to undertake any further destabilizing action and to comply with its international obligations.
It also expressed concern about the divisions that have prevented the international community from acting on this issue, as well as other threats to peace and security around the world, and called on the Security Council to unite to find a peaceful, comprehensive, diplomatic and political solution to the situation on the Korean peninsula.
