Statement by Mr. Koichiro Gemba, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Issuance of a Statement by the President of the United Nations Security Council regarding North Korea's Launch of the Missile, which it calls a "Satellite"

April 16, 2012
Japanese

The Government of Japan welcomes that, in the morning on Monday, April 16, in New York (late evening, Japan time), the United Nations Security Council issued a Presidential Statement which strongly condemns North Korea's launch of the missile, which it calls a "satellite", on Friday, April 13.
In this Presidential Statement, the Security Council underscores that any launch, even if characterized as a "satellite", is a serious violation of the Security Council resolutions, deplores that such a launch has caused grave security concerns in the region, demands that North Korea not proceed with any further launches using ballistic missile technology, and directs the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) to undertake specific tasks by the deadline to steadily implement measures under the Security Council resolutions. Furthermore, the Security Council demands that North Korea immediately comply fully with its obligations under the relevant Security Council resolutions, including not to conduct any further launches that use ballistic missile technology, nuclear tests or any further provocation, and clearly expresses its determination to take action accordingly in the event of a further North Korea launch or nuclear test. This Presidential Statement, entailing a more robust message than the statement issued at the time of the missile launch in April, 2009, is of great significance for the security of the East Asia region as a whole over which the launch this time has caused grave concerns.
While calling for North Korea's restraint of the launch since the time before it was conducted, Japan, though not being a current member of the Security Council, has worked closely and vigorously with the United States, the Republic of Korea (ROK), China, Russia and other relevant countries, from the viewpoint that the international society, including the Security Council, should promptly deliver an unequivocal and credible message and deter further provocation in the event of the launch. Prime Minister and I strongly registered Japan's position to our counterparts on such occasions as the Nuclear Security Summit, Japan-China-ROK Foreign Ministers Meeting and G8 Foreign Ministers Meeting. In addition, after the launch occurred, the Government of Japan took a leadership role in delivering a stand-alone joint statement by G8 members, which includes four permanent members of the Security Council and its non-permanent member, Germany. Moreover, immediately after the launch took place, Japan requested the United States, the incumbent Chair of the Security Council, to promptly convene a meeting, which was thereafter held without delay. As such, Japan has engaged in multi-faceted coordination and cooperation with countries concerned and made ceaseless efforts. As a result, it is my recognition that most of Japan's views are reflected in the Presidential Statement.
Japan strongly urges that North Korea take this Presidential Statement seriously, comply with the relevant resolutions immediately and completely, and not conduct any further launches and nuclear test or any further provocative actions. The Government of Japan is resolved to continue to make active efforts, in close coordination and cooperation with the international community, for the comprehensive resolution of outstanding issues of concern regarding North Korea, including abductions, nuclear and missile issues.

(*The foregoing is a provisional translation. The date indicated above denotes the date of issue of the original version in Japanese.)

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