UNITED NATIONS: UN chief Ban Ki-moon is "seriously
concerned" about North Korea's planned rocket launch, warning that it
could heighten tensions in the region, his office said in a statement Tuesday.
Pyongyang announced Saturday that
it intends to launch a long-range rocket between December 10 and 22, a move
condemned by the United States, South Korea and Japan.
Ban said the move would violate
UN Security Council resolutions forbidding North Korea from conducting any
launches using ballistic missile technology.
"The Secretary-General
strongly urges the DPRK to reconsider its decision and to suspend all
activities related to its ballistic missile program," Ban's office said,
using the acronym for North Korea's official name.
"He further calls upon the
DPRK to re-establish its moratorium on missile launches, as required by the
Security Council."
South Korea's top nuclear envoy
Lim Sung-Nam said that Seoul and Washington would "maximize"
diplomatic efforts to halt the launch as he headed to the United States on
Tuesday for talks on the matter.
The United States and its East
Asia allies have condemned the proposed launch as a disguised ballistic missile
test that violates UN resolutions triggered by Pyongyang's two nuclear tests in
2006 and 2009.
Pyongyang insists the launch is a
"peaceful" and purely scientific mission aimed at placing a satellite
in orbit.
A previous attempt in April
failed when the carrier exploded shortly after take-off.
China, the North's closest ally,
has expressed "concern" at the launch plan, with the foreign ministry
urging "relevant parties (to) act in a way that is more conducive to the
stability of the Korean peninsula".
Russia on Monday added its
"regret" at Pyongyang's announcement and noted that North Korea was
obliged to abide by UN resolutions.
Analysts say the international
community is running out of options for pressuring the impoverished but
nuclear-armed North, which is already under layers of sanctions.
The six-party, aid-for-denuclearization
talks have been at a standstill since Pyongyang walked out of the forum in
April 2009. It staged its second nuclear test a month later.
- AFP/ck
Business & Investment Opportunities
Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd (SBC) is incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Strategy, Investment and Management, focusing Health care and Life Science with expertise in ASEAN 's area. We are currently changing the platform of www.yourvietnamexpert.com, if any request, please, contact directly Dr Christian SIODMAK, business strategist, owner and CEO of SBC at christian.siodmak@gmail.com. Many thanks.
No comments:
Post a Comment