Foreign

THE United States (U.S.) has called on the UN Security Council to condemn the recent string of missile tests conducted by North Korea.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the UN, made the call during a Security Council briefing in New York on Monday using the acronym of the North’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Her request came after Pyongyang on Monday fired two suspected short-range ballistic missiles towards the East Sea, as the Sea of Japan is also known.

“We call on each member of this Council to join us in strongly condemning the DPRK’s unlawful activities and encouraging the DPRK to engage in diplomacy,’’ she said.

The launch came two days after Pyongyang fired what it said was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Saturday.

UN resolutions prohibit North Korea from testing ballistic missiles of any range, which depending on their design can also be equipped with a nuclear warhead.

It will be the first test of such a missile in more than a month.

Japan has already requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council over the launches.

The U.S. failed to get a resolution stipulating tougher international sanctions against North Korea through the Security Council last May, due to vetos from Russia and China.

Thomas-Greenfield said Pyongyang’s continued violation of the Security Council’s resolution required a response.

“We are charged with maintaining international peace and security.

“But in the face of unprecedented launches last year, two permanent members forced us into silence in spite of countless DPRK violations,’’ she told the body, referring to Russia and China.

“On this vital matter, silence leads to irrelevance.

“The Council’s lack of action is worse than shameful. It is dangerous.

“Now is the time for the Security Council to work together toward a peaceful solution on the Korean Peninsula before it’s too late,” Thomas-Greenfield charged.

The situation in the area is currently very tense.

While North Korea has increased the number of missile tests, South Korea and the U.S. has resumed their joint military exercises in the region in full.

Pyongyang has repeatedly accused Washington of helping its neighbour to prepare for an attack, a claim that both the U.S. and South Korea reject. (dpa/NAN)

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Tags: Linda Thomas-Greenfield