Pakistan voices concern over North Korea's ballistic missile launch

UN Ambassador Munir Akram says Pakistan opposes any further nuclear weapons testing in Korea or elsewhere.

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In response to North Korea's latest ballistic missile launch on Monday, Pakistan expressed deep concern and urged for diplomatic engagement and dialogue to address the growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The missile was launched at the same time as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Seoul, where he met with South Korea’s Acting President, Choi Sang-mok.

Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations, Munir Akram, addressed the UN Security Council on Thursday, strongly supporting the revival of talks between the relevant parties.

The missile fired by North Korea was described by Pyongyang as a new type of intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile (IRBM) equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle. Akram condemned these developments, calling them detrimental to regional and international peace and security.

Pakistan reiterated its commitment to the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, urging the implementation of UNSC resolutions and global disarmament goals.

The country also voiced opposition to further nuclear weapons testing and missile provocations, underscoring the need for a halt to coercive actions and threats in the region.

“Provocations such as missile tests and threats must end,” Akram stated. “Pakistan opposes any further nuclear weapons testing in Korea or elsewhere."

The South Korean military reported detecting a projectile, believed to be an intermediate-range ballistic missile, following the launch. UN officials warned that North Korea's missile program continues to undermine global non-proliferation efforts.

Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, stressed that while the launch had no direct impact on neighboring countries' security, North Korea failed to issue the required safety notifications for airspace and maritime boundaries.

North Korea's Ambassador to the UN, Song Kim, defended the missile test, describing it as a necessary step to strengthen the country’s national defence and strategic deterrent. He warned that any physical conflict on the Peninsula would be a result of "reckless actions" by the United States and South Korea.

Kim urged the UN Security Council to refrain from criminalising North Korea’s actions, citing double standards in the application of international law.