ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed deep concern over the reported launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea on Wednesday.
Foreign Office Spokesman Dr. Muhammad Faisal, in a statement, said that such missile launch constitute violation of the UN Security Council resolutions. He said these steps also undermine the goals of peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.
The Spokesperson said Pakistan continues to call upon North Korea to comply with its obligations under the Security Council resolutions and to refrain from actions that could lead to escalation of tensions.
He urged all relevant parties to pursue the path of dialogue and diplomacy to reduce tensions and work towards achieving a comprehensive solution to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un said his country had achieved full nuclear statehood after what he said was the successful test of a new missile capable of striking anywhere in the United States.
The intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch snapped a two-month pause in testing by the Northdespite China’s opposition to North Korea’s weapons tests.
North Korea has conducted dozens of ballistic missile tests under its leader, Kim Jong Un, in defiance of international sanctions. In September, it conducted its sixth and largest nuclear test.
North Korea said the new powerful missile reached an altitude of around 4,475 km (2,780 miles) – more than 10 times the height of the international space station – and flew 950 km (600 miles) during its 53 minute flight.
“After watching the successful missile launch of the new type ICBM Hwasong-15, Kim Jong Un declared with pride that now we have finally realized the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force, the cause of building a rocket power,” according to a statement read by a television presenter.
In the statement, North Korea described itself as a “responsible nuclear power”, saying its strategic weapons were developed to defend itself from “the U.S. imperialists’ nuclear blackmail policy and nuclear threat”.
