UK backs Japan over North Korea 'violation' of UN rules

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) - The U.K. and Japan will remain united against threats from the North Korea, Britain’s foreign minister said on Friday.

Boris Johnson’s remarks came Friday at a news conference in Tokyo during on official visit to Japan.

“Britain stands shoulder to shoulder alongside Japan in our steadfast determination to stop North Korea’s persistent violation of UN resolutions,” Johnson said in a joint briefing with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida.

Describing a recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test by North Korea as a "reckless provocation," Johnson urged China to take a key role, according to Japan’s Kyodo news agency.

"Two weeks ago, we saw the test of an ICBM. Unquestionably, an ICBM landed in the Sea of Japan," Johnson was quoted as saying by Kyodo.

"We all need to increase the pressure on Pyongyang through diplomacy and sanctions and that must include China using its influence to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table."

Kishida said Japan and Britain will take the lead in tackling challenges facing the global community such as Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs as well as China's assertiveness in the South and East China seas.

Pyongyang is barred from nuclear and ballistic missile testing under UN Security Council resolutions, a prohibition it has routinely ignored.

On July 4, North Korea announced its first successful intercontinental ballistic missile test via state media, claiming the missile was a Hwasong-14 that reached an altitude of 2,802 kilometers (1,740 miles) and flew 933 kilometers (580 miles) for 39 minutes before landing in the Sea of Japan.