The UN Security Council Condemns North Korea's Recent Missile Test

On Friday, March 18, the United Nations Security Council issued a statement declaring North Korea's recent missile test as "unacceptable" and strongly condemned it. According to the Associated Press, the members of the Security Council unanimously stated that the latest missile test by North Korea is a "clear violation of Security Council resolutions." This statement was released in response to North Korea's launch of two medium-range missiles early on Friday morning. This missile test comes amid a new round of confrontation between Pyongyang and the international community. Following the missile test, Japan's Foreign Minister stated that he protested the new missile launch by sending a note to Pyongyang. The Japanese government also called for a Security Council meeting on this matter on the same day. This comes after the Security Council had approved a sanctions resolution against North Korea two weeks prior, in response to North Korea's fourth nuclear test in January. The Security Council's statement also urged North Korea to exercise restraint and refrain from violating its resolutions. Meanwhile, the French news agency reported that the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University indicated the possibility of a new nuclear test by North Korea. The institute noted that satellite images from the main nuclear testing site in North Korea show increased activity, suggesting that a new nuclear test may be imminent. Earlier this week, North Korean leader issued orders for new nuclear and missile tests. In response, the U.S. imposed extensive sanctions against Pyongyang on Wednesday.