The Security Council Condemns North Korea's Missile Test Again

The United Nations Security Council condemned North Korea's recent missile test in a statement issued on Monday. The Security Council described this missile test as a "clear defiance" and a "provocative action," warning that new sanctions would be imposed against Pyongyang. According to the Associated Press, this statement was signed by all 15 members of the Security Council. The statement was issued ahead of a Security Council meeting on Tuesday regarding North Korea's recent missile test. The French representative in the Security Council expressed hope that stricter sanctions against Pyongyang would be approved in the Tuesday meeting. Meanwhile, North Korea announced on Monday that following the successful test of a medium-range ballistic missile, it is now ready to produce this type of missile in bulk. The United States has expressed skepticism about such advancements. According to Reuters, the U.S. condemned North Korea's ballistic missile test on Sunday, and U.S. missile experts stated that several missile tests do not prove that the solid fuel used in this missile is reliable. An unnamed U.S. official also said that the missile test conducted by North Korea on Sunday does not demonstrate any new capabilities and that this missile does not pose a threat to the United States. Reuters reported that the Sunday missile test was the second missile test by North Korea within a week, and the new South Korean president emphasized that North Korea's missile tests have undermined the prospect of peace in the region. North Korea claims that this medium-range missile is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and can target U.S. territory. Western experts acknowledge that North Korea has made advancements in developing intercontinental missiles. The UN Security Council had previously condemned North Korea's missile tests and called on Pyongyang to cease these tests. Rex Tillerson, the U.S. Secretary of State, also warned North Korea in response to the recent missile test that pressures on North Korea are in the early stages. Tillerson emphasized, "We are in the early stages of applying economic and political pressure on North Korea." The U.S. Secretary of State expressed hope that North Korean officials would "understand this message and realize that the path they are on is not toward security and comfort." To counter the threat from North Korea, the U.S. has deployed the THAAD missile defense system, capable of targeting short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, in South Korea.