South Korea’s head of national defence denounced North Korea’s second attempted satellite launch, stating that the regime had, yet again, seriously violated UN Security Council resolutions.
Speaking to lawmakers at a session of the National Defense Committee at the National Assembly, Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup added that North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missiles were the most serious threat to South Korea’s national security.
“This is a grave violation of UN Security Council resolutions and a clear provocation against peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the international community.”
The defence ministry assessed that the second launch was carried out to make up for its first failed attempt in May.
It was also believed to be an attempt to demonstrate Pyongyang’s capabilities, and a response to the ongoing Seoul-Washington military exercise, as well as the new trilateral cooperation agreement among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan.
Pyongyang had announced that the first and second stages ignited according to plan, while the third stage failed due to an error in the emergency blasting system.
The minister added that South Korea and the U.S. have been cooperating and sharing information to carry out a search for debris following the failed launch.
Lee also vowed stronger trilateral security cooperation between Seoul, Washington and Tokyo.
“Through the security cooperation solidified during the trilateral summit, we will lower the risk of North Korea’s provocations and further strengthen our security.”
In response to the regime’s latest provocation, the UN Security Council is set to convene a session on next week (local time).
The meeting is to take place at the request of seven member countries and South Korea.
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