PRESS RELEASE : UK urges DPRK to cease missile launches, return to dialogue and to take credible steps towards denuclearisation – UK statement at the Security Council [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 June 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on North Korea.

Thank you, President.

The UK condemns the DPRK’s reckless, failed satellite launch on 30 May 2023.

Let me be clear. This launch had nothing to do with peaceful uses of outer space. It was a military reconnaissance satellite, and used ballistic missile technology to launch. As such, it was a further violation of this Council’s resolutions.

It follows 9 sets of ballistic missile tests since the start of 2023, including a solid fuel inter-continental ballistic missile test in April. All part of DPRK’s reckless pursuit of advanced nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities with which it seeks to threaten its neighbours.

While the launch failed, it caused alarm for the people of Japan and the Republic of Korea. But it is the North Korean people who bear the highest costs of these launches, as their government diverts resources away from peoples’ basic economic needs.

Colleagues, this behaviour is unacceptable. DPRK continues to flout the international non-proliferation architecture and poses a threat to global peace and security. We understand it intends to repeat the failed launch as soon as it can.

We are ready to work urgently with all Council members to send a unified message to the DPRK. We continue to urge all Member States to fully implement existing resolutions and to counter the continued development of DPRK’s illegal weapons programmes.

Once again, President, we urge the DPRK to cease these launches, return to dialogue and take credible steps towards denuclearisation and peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Thank you.