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