NATO urged North Korea to abolish its plan to launch a second rocket this year, warning the reclusive state that it would violate UN resolutions and stoke tensions in region if it went ahead with its plan.
Reuters reports that NATO ambassadors expressed “grave concern at North Korea’s declared intent to launch a rocket using ballistic missile technology this month,” in a statement from the alliance released Wednesday.
“We call on the North Korean authorities to meet their obligations under international law and comply fully with the will of the international community as expressed by the United Nations Security Council and the moratorium on missile launches”.
“Such an act would be in direct violation of United Nations Security council Resolutions 1718 and 1874. It would risk exacerbating tensions in the region and further destabilising the Korean peninsula,” NATO stated.
Russia and China, both main allies of North Korea, raised “concern” on the launch Tuesday with Moscow appealing to Pyongyang to “reconsider” the plan while Beijing reiterated its right to develop a “peaceful” space program.
Pyongyang has wracked the region with its announcement of a second attempt to put a satellite into orbit – a move internationally condemned as a guise for missile tests.
