UN condemns N.Korea failed missile launches

The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday strongly condemned North Korea's latest failed missile launches and called for increased efforts to implement the sanctions imposed on Pyongyang.

"The members of the Security Council deplore all DPRK (North Korea) ballistic missile activities, including these multiple failed launches, noting that such activities contribute to the DPRK's development of nuclear weapons delivery systems and increase tension," the council said.

Council members demanded that North Korea end its "flagrant" violations, halt all nuclear tests and ballistic missile activity, and comply with UN resolutions.

Tensions in Northeast Asia have been rising since North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test in January, followed shortly by a satellite launch and various medium-range missile tests.

The 15-member Security Council was unable last month to condemn two failed ballistic missile launches by North Korea in late April after Russia proposed to amend a draft statement that had already been approved by the Council's other 14 members. The United States, Japan and others found Russia's proposed amendments unacceptable.

Wednesday's statement condemned the two April tests as well as North Korea's most recent failed missile launch on Tuesday.

North Korea had conducted an intermediate-range missile test and asubmarine-launched missile test in April - both condemned by the UN Security Council at the time.

UN resolutions prohibit North Korea from developing ballistic missile technology. The UN has imposed harsh new sanctions on North Korea designed to cripple Pyongyang financially and render it incapable of pursuing its nuclear ambitions.

Sanctions push

The statement calls on UN member states to "redouble efforts to implement fully the measures imposed" on North Korea in a resolution adopted in March that provides for the toughest sanctions to date on Pyongyang.

The Council said it would direct a UN sanctions committee to intensify its work and urge all governments to report as soon as possible on the concrete measures they are taking to implement sanctions

The measures also include a new requirement that all countries must inspect cargo destined for and coming from North Korea, in all airports and sea ports. Additionally, the resolution bans or restricts exports of coal, iron, iron ore and other minerals from North Korea, and prohibits the supply of aviation fuel including rocket fuel.

bw/gsw (AFP, Reuters, AP)