In a Sunday statement, North Korea warned the U.N. Security Council to refrain from criticizing its missile program.
Friday’s emergency closed-door meeting at the U.N. top body was attended by France, who circulated a draft statement. It expressed concern about North Korea’s missile launches, and called on it to implement all council resolutions banning its ballistic missile firings.
Jo Chol Su from the North Korean Foreign Ministry warned the U.N. Council that it should “think about the consequences” if it attempts to invade North Korea’s sovereignty in the future.
Jo also accused U.N. of having a “double-dealing” standard because it doesn’t take issue with similar weapons testing by the United States or its allies, according state media.
After a six month hiatus, North Korea resumed its missile testing in September. It launched new missiles, including nuclear-capable weapons, that placed South Korea and Japan within striking distance. In what experts describe as an attempt to pressure Seoul into easing crippling economic sanctions, the country offered to hold conditional talks with South Korea.
Multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions prohibit North Korea from engaging in ballistic missile activities. The country is attempting to build nuclear weapons on its missiles. Although North Korea claims its nuclear program is designed to deal with U.S. military threats it has not stated that it has any hostile intent towards Pyongyang.
Despite recent launches, North Korea has maintained a self-imposed 2018 moratorium on long-range missiles directly threatening America’s homeland. This is a sign that it wants to preserve future diplomatic opportunities with the U.S.
Officials from the United States have asked North Korea to resume talks without conditions, but North Korea has stated that it will not do so unless the Americans abandon their “hostile strategy,” a reference to the ongoing military drills and sanctions between Washington and Seoul.
