UNITED NATIONS: In the wake of North Korea’s recent ballistic missile launch, Pakistan has expressed concern and emphasized the need for diplomatic engagement to address the challenges on the Korean Peninsula.
On Monday, North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the sea as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with South Korean officials, including Acting President Choi Sang-mok, in Seoul.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Munir Akram, addressed the UN Security Council on Thursday, stressing the importance of reviving talks among all concerned parties. He described the launch, which Pyongyang claims involved a new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle, as a threat to regional and global peace and security.
Ambassador Akram reiterated Pakistan’s support for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and broader goals of non-proliferation and disarmament.
“Provocations such as missile tests on one side, and coercive actions and threats on the other, must cease,” Akram stated. He further emphasized Pakistan’s opposition to nuclear weapons testing in Korea or any other region.
Akram expressed hope that the UN Security Council would actively work towards reducing tensions and reviving dialogue to foster peace and security in the region.
The South Korean military reported detecting an intermediate-range ballistic missile, according to Al Jazeera. Following the launch, Khaled Khiari, UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific, highlighted North Korea’s ongoing efforts to enhance military capabilities that undermine the global non-proliferation framework.
Khiari noted that Pyongyang failed to issue airspace or maritime safety notifications, though it claimed the launch posed no threat to neighboring countries. North Korea asserted that the missile system could penetrate dense defensive barriers, potentially delivering a significant military strike against adversaries.
North Korean Ambassador Song Kim defended the missile test as a necessary measure to strengthen the country’s strategic deterrent. He criticized the U.S. and South Korea, claiming their actions could escalate into physical conflict, and accused the UN Security Council of applying double standards in addressing his nation’s sovereign defense measures.
The situation continues to highlight the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to address rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
