UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned North Korea’s launch of an intercontinental missile and various projectiles in recent days, while saying he is «concerned» about the tension on the Korean peninsula and the «confrontational rhetoric» in the region.
«The secretary-general reiterates his calls on North Korea to immediately desist from any further provocative actions and to comply fully with its international obligations under all relevant UN Security Council resolutions,» he said in a statement Friday.
Guterres urged Pyongyang to «take immediate steps to resume talks» with the parties involved, while calling on the rest «to unite and promote an environment conducive to dialogue with a view to achieving sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.»
These statements came shortly before the UN Security Council is due to discuss recent tensions in the region over Pyongyang’s launches into the waters of the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea.
«While all concerned seek to avoid unintended escalation, the spate of missile launches and military exercises contributes to a cycle of negative action and reaction,» Under-Secretary General Khaled Khiari explained during the ninth session on North Korea.
In this sense, he appealed to the «unity» of the Council with the objective of «seeking ways out and sustained diplomatic engagement», while «it is essential to immediately strengthen channels of communication, including inter-Korean and military-to-military».
«It is troubling that it has consistently disregarded any consideration of international flights or maritime safety,» he said, adding that despite Pyongyang’s Oct. 8 declaration that its missiles did not pose a risk to civil aviation or the region, «aircraft operators must assess the safety of their own flight operations.»
Finally, Khiari stressed that Guterres «remains concerned about the humanitarian situation» in the country. «The UN system, in coordination with international and humanitarian partners, stands ready to send personnel and assistance to help the Government of North Korea address medical and humanitarian needs, including those related to the COVID-19 pandemic,» he said.
«For a timely and effective response, we reiterate our call for the unimpeded entry of international personnel and humanitarian supplies,» the Under Secretary concluded during the Security Council meeting.
