LOC22:18
19:18 GMT
NEW YORK, Feb 7 (KUNA) -- UN Security Council (UNSC) strongly condemned the launch of ballistic missile technology by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Following the closed emergency collations, President of the Council Rafael Dario of Venezuela told the press members of UNSC underscored that this launch as well as any other DPRK launch that uses ballistic missile technology, even if characterized as a satellite launch or space launch vehicle, contributes to DPRK's development of nuclear weapon delivery systems and is a serious violation of past Security Council resolutions.
In the press statement (read by Venezuela) and agreed by all members of the Council, the members reaffirmed that this incident is a clear threat to international peace and security continues to exist especially in the context of the nuclear test.
The members of the Council restated their intent to develop significant measures in a new Security Council resolution in response to the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK on Saturday, in grave violations of the DPRK's international obligations.
The Council also recalled that they have previously expressed their determination to take further significant measures in the event of another DPRK launch.
"In line with this commitment and the gravity of this most recent violation, the members of the Council will adopt expeditiously a new Security Council resolution with such measures in response to these dangerous and serious violations," Ambassador Dario added.
The 15-member body expressed their commitment to continue working toward a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the situation leading to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
On her part, the US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power told the press gathered after the meeting, that it is clear that the Security Council must take decisive action and to do so with urgency.
"We will be looking to all Council members to unite around a swift a aggressive response to DPRK's repeated violations," she said.
North Korea's claims of launching a "peaceful earth observation satellite" fools no one, as the space launch vehicles is the same in technology as ballistic missiles which is expressly prohibited by multiple UNSC resolution, she added.
The Council gathered earlier today in a closed consoltation to address the serious situation arising from the launch using ballistic missile technology conducted by the DPRK. (pickup previous)
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