UNSC hold emergency session on North Korea ‘unprecedented missiles launch

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau

UNITED NATIONS, 5th Nov. UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Mohamed Khiari on Friday told the Security Council in an emergency meeting that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea launched “an unprecedented number” of cruise and ballistic missiles over the course of just 48 hours this week

He informed the Council members that despite having conducted missile tests on Wednesday and Thursday, DPRK “has yet to publicly provide details” on the launches.

Mohamed Khiari pointed out that yesterday’s missile launch was “assessed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile which reportedly covered a range of 760 km, and reached a height of around 1,920 km, “indicating that…[it] may not have been successful”.

Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement through his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric in New York strongly condemned DPRK’s ICBM launch and “barrage” of other missiles over the past two days.

He called on the DPRK to immediately cease any further reckless acts and to comply fully with its international obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions.

Guterres expressed deep concern at the overall level of tension on the Korean Peninsula between north and south, and the increase in confrontational rhetoric.

He strongly urged North Korea to immediately return to the negotiating table and asked the key parties to resume their diplomatic efforts with a view to achieving sustainable peace and a complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Mohamed Khiari said one of the ballistic missiles launched on Wednesday reportedly fell into the sea near the territorial waters of the Republic of Korea, more commonly referred to as South Korea.

“It is troubling that the DPRK has consistently and irresponsibly disregarded any consideration for international flight or maritime safety,” he said.

He noted that DPRK’s National Aviation Administration stated on 8 October following an earlier launch, that operations did not pose a risk to civil aviation or the region as a whole, aircraft operators are required to assess the safety of their own flight operations.

He stressed that “To meet this obligation, operators rely on coordination amongst air traffic services authorities, as well as the promulgation of timely information on hazards”.

Mohamed Khiari reminded that the current meeting was the ninth time this year that the Council has met to discuss North Korea.

He recalled the DPRK’s claim that its seven earlier missile launches were all part of “tactical nuclear operation units”.

Mohamed Khiari underscored “While all concerned seek to avoid an unintended escalation, the spate of missile launches and military exercises contributes to a negative action-reaction cycle”.

He noted that to lower the risk of miscalculation and reduce tensions in the region, he said it was “critical” that communication channels be strengthened, “including inter-Korean and military to military”.

Secretariat remains in close contact with all parties, including North Korea, given the potential risks associated with any military confrontation he stressed that the Council must do all it can to prevent an escalation.

“He reiterated that unity in the Security Council is critical,” added that it “also creates an opportunity to seek off-ramps and sustained diplomatic engagement”.

Mr. Khiari drew attention to DPRK’s worrying humanitarian situation.

He said “The United Nations system, in coordination with international and humanitarian partners, is ready to send staff and assistance to help the DPRK Government address medical and humanitarian needs, including those related to the COVID-19 pandemic”.

Mohamed Khiari reiterated to allow for a timely and effective response and the call for “unimpeded entry of international staff and humanitarian supplies”.

He concluded that “the unity of the Security Council in this matter is essential to ease tensions, overcome the diplomatic impasse and the negative action-reaction cycle”.