Security Council condemns N. Korea’s rocket launch

14 April, 2009, 02:23

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously condemned North Korea's recent rocket launch and demanded the state end further tests.

The statement was read Monday afternoon at a formal meeting by the current council president, Mexico's UN Ambassador Claude Heller.

The document says North Korea's actions violate a UN resolution that forbids the state from conducting nuclear tests or ballistic launches.

"The Security Council condemns the 5 April 2009 launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which is in contravention of Security Council resolution 1718 of 2006," the statement said.

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The statement was hammered out by the five permanent member states – the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France – along with Japan.

It calls on freezing the assets of companies involved in importing or exporting missiles and nuclear weapons from North Korea.

The presidential statement was a weaker response than a Security Council resolution, which Japan and the United States wanted. Originally, the US called for new sanctions on North Korea – something China and Russia opposed, suggesting a more thought-out approach.

Last Sunday, Pyongyang fired a long-range rocket, provoking international outrage.

North Korea claims to have launched a communications satellite, however the West says the move was a cover for a missile test.