The United Nations said Wednesday that “diplomacy is the only way forward” regarding the crisis on the Korean peninsula.
The international confirmation came in response to North Korea’s announcement, on Tuesday, of the launch of a new hypersonic missile.
“We have seen these very disturbing reports,” said Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, referring to the announcement of the missile launch.
“We remain convinced that the only way forward on the Korean peninsula is diplomatic engagement by all parties,” he added.
North Korea’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Kim Sung, affirmed before the United Nations General Assembly, Monday, his country’s legitimate right to develop, test and possess weapons systems equivalent to those owned by the United States.
“Given the US-South Korea military alliance and military threats against the DPRK (North Korea), no one can deny the right to defend ourselves and to develop, test, manufacture and possess weapons systems equivalent to those they own or possess (meaning the United States),” Song said.
Song called on the administration of US President Joe Biden to permanently end joint military exercises with South Korea.
And last August, South Korea and the United States held joint military exercises, which North Korea considered a “threat to its security.”
Because of its continued ballistic and nuclear missile programs, North Korea is subject to a series of economic, commercial and military sanctions, under resolutions issued by the United Nations Security Council annually since 2006.
