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A meeting of the UN Security Coucil

On Apr. 15, the UN Security Council released a press statement in which it declared North Korea’s test launch of a mid-range Musudan ballistic missile to be a violation of previous sanctions resolutions and promised to take “significant measures” if North Korea took any further steps to raise tensions. At the same time, the Security Council emphasized the need for diplomatic and political solutions.

Without holding a meeting, the Security Council issued a statement to the press on Sunday after the 15 members - including the US and China - agreed to condemn North Korea for launching a ballistic missile.

Of the various political statements that the Security Council can make, a press statement is thought to carry less weight than a resolution or presidential statement.

“Although the DPRK’s ballistic missile launch was a failure, this attempt constituted a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions,” the statement said. If North Korea continues to raise tensions with its actions, the Security Council promised to “take further significant measures.”

In the statement, the Security Council also mentioned the need for a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution and welcomed the efforts of council members and other countries to call for a peaceful and comprehensive solution through dialogue.

As the current president of the UN Security Council, China’ swift consent to release the press statement appears to be connected to criticism of North Korea’s missile launch in China’s state-run media as a “flippant and unwise” action.

By Lee Je-hun, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]