North Korean missile launch is reckless act, violates UN resolutions: UN

By Betul Yuruk

UNITED NATIONS (AA) - The UN condemned North Korea’s latest ballistic missile launch Tuesday, saying it was a reckless act and a violation of Security Council resolutions.

“The Secretary-General strongly condemns the launch of a ballistic missile of possible intermediate range by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK),” said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

''It is also of serious concern that the DPRK has again disregarded any consideration for international flight or maritime safety,'' he said.

“The Secretary-General called on North Korea to resume dialogue to achieve sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,” he added.

Pyongyang’s fifth missile launch in one week has drawn widespread international condemnation.

The latest launch, the first in five years crossing above Japan, prompted the Japanese government to issue warnings for residents to take shelter.

Meanwhile, the US called for a Security Council meeting following the launch.

''We have called for a Security Council meeting to address the DPRK's dangerous long-range ballistic missile launch that overflew Japan,'' US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in a tweet.

''We must limit the DPRK’s ability to advance its unlawful ballistic missile and weapons of mass destruction programs.''