G-7 condemns North Korea's satellite launch using ballistic missile technology

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) – The G-7 countries on Thursday condemned "in the strongest terms" North Korea’s space launch using ballistic missile technology, stating it poses a "grave threat" to peace and stability.

"This launch is a clear, flagrant violation of multiple United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) and poses a grave threat to regional and international peace and stability," said a joint statement by the G-7 foreign ministers and the EU foreign policy chief.

North Korea on Thursday conducted the second launch of a military reconnaissance satellite, which ended in failure due to an error in the rocket's "emergency blasting system" during the third stage of flight, according to state media.

Recalling Pyongyang's "escalatory actions" through a record number of ballistic missile launches despite the repeated calls from the international community, the statement noted that these actions prove North Korea's determination to advance and diversify its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.

"We once again reiterate our demand that North Korea abandon its nuclear weapons, existing nuclear programs, and any other weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner and fully comply with all obligations under the relevant UNSCRs."

The foreign ministers also said that North Korea’s action "must be met with a swift, united, and robust international response," particularly by the UN Security Council.

"North Korea cannot and will never have the status of a nuclear-weapon state under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)," added the statement.

The G-7 reiterated its commitment to working with relevant partners toward the goal of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.