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The nations have called for a “united response” to North Korea’s “reckless” ballistic missile testing program.
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G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America – along with the High Representative of the European Union – have issued a statement condemning the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests, conducted on 25 May following Quad leaders’ visit in Tokyo, Japan.
The G7 described the activities as a “further blatant violation” of UN Security Council resolutions adding the missile launches undermine global security and non-proliferation agreements.
“We are very concerned by the unprecedented series of ballistic missile tests with increasingly versatile systems across all ranges, building on ballistic missile tests conducted in 2021,” the G7 noted.
“Together with the evidence of ongoing nuclear activities, these acts underscore the DPRK’s determination to advance and diversify its nuclear capabilities.
“These reckless actions flagrantly breach the DPRK’s obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolutions, which the Security Council most recently reaffirmed in resolution 2397 (2017).”
The statement also flagged risks from ICBM tests to international civil aviation and maritime navigation in the region.
“We, the G7 Foreign Ministers and the High Representative of the European Union, reiterate our urgent call on the DPRK to abandon its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner and to fully comply with all legal obligations arising from the relevant Security Council resolutions,” the statement read.
The G7 went on to lament the UN Security Council’s rejection of new sanctions on North Korea, vetoed by China and Russia.
“We deeply regret that the Security Council has failed to adopt the draft resolution aimed at condemning the series of recent ballistic missile launches by the DPRK and strengthening measures against it despite support from 13 members,” the G7 states.
“We urge all UN Member States, especially Security Council members, to join us in condemning the DPRK´s behaviour and reaffirm its obligation to abandon its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.
“These acts demand a united response by the international community, including a united stance and further significant measures by the UN Security Council.”
The G7 concluded by urging North Korea to “engage in diplomacy toward denuclearisation” and accept offers of dialogue from the United States, the Republic of Korea and Japan, as well as facilitating access to humanitarian organisations.
[Related: North Korea conducts alleged ICBM test]
