UN Security Council convenes'North Korean Missile' on North Korea Sanctions Committee

The UN Security Council convenes the North Korean Sanctions Committee under the Security Council today (26th) local time to discuss the issue of North Korea's missile launch.

The Sanctions Committee on North Korea decided to convene a meeting at the request of the United States regarding North Korea's launch of a short-range ballistic missile, Reuters reported yesterday (25th), citing the US delegation to the United Nations.

North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles in the East Sea from around Hamju, South Hamgyeong Province.

North Korea's launch of ballistic missiles violates the resolution of the UN Security Council.

In particular, it seems that the Biden administration, which is at the final stage of establishing a new policy toward North Korea in the launch of the first ballistic missile since the inauguration of US President Joe Biden, has called for a meeting of the North Korean Sanctions Committee as a response.

However, Reuters analyzed that the convening of a meeting of the North Korea Sanctions Committee, not a meeting of the Security Council, was a cautious response compared to the past.

This is because the sanctions committee meeting, where diplomats with relatively lower positions gather than the official security council meetings attended by ambassadors in person, is less weighty.

It is also in contrast to the meeting of the Security Council attended by ambassadors at the request of European countries a year ago, when North Korea launched a ballistic missile just before.

At the time, European countries condemned North Korea's provocation as a violation of the UN resolution.

The choice of the United States to convene a meeting of the North Korean Sanctions Committee, rather than the Security Council, is seen as a paving stone to signal that diplomatic dialogue with North Korea remains open even in the face of tension.

President Biden also warned at the first press conference after taking office, "If they choose to increase tensions, there will be a response accordingly," but he left room for "they are ready for diplomacy."

UN Secretary-General Antonius Guterchs has also urged a diplomatic solution rather than increasing tensions.

UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Hak said at a regular briefing yesterday, "The secretary-general has reaffirmed the need for North Korea to resume diplomatic involvement with relevant parties and strive for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."