We should urgently consider updated sanctions to disrupt North Korea’s unlawful weapons testing: UK at the UN Security Council

Thank you, Madam President, and I join others in thanking Under-Secretary DiCarlo for her briefing.

The UK condemns the test of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile by North Korea on 24 March, as well as tests of new ICBM capabilities on 27 Feb and 5 March.

This year alone, 13 ballistic missiles have been launched across 10 sets of tests – each a violation of Security Council resolutions. We are deeply concerned by the increased tempo of these launches and the growing capability they represent.

Let there be no doubt, the clear threat that North Korea poses to international security is increasing.

These violations of Security Council resolutions should be met with a firm and united response from this Council.

The last time North Korea launched ICBMs in 2017, the Council responded decisively by adopting resolution 2371. We look to this Council to display the same unity and resolve to protect the safety of this and future generations, as it displayed then. And we look forward to constructive discussions on further measures proposed by the USA.

We should urgently, therefore, consider further steps that this Council can take, including updated and targeted sanctions, to disrupt North Korea’s unlawful testing and illicit proliferation.

We call on all Member States to implement fully the Security Council’s Resolutions, and enforce sanctions unanimously adopted, in order to limit North Korea’s illicit nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

As the North Korean government continues to pour resources into weapons programmes, the humanitarian situation in the country may be worsening.

The UK is clear that the Council’s measures against these illicit weapons programmes, including sanctions, are not targeted at the North Korean people. We fully support the delivery of humanitarian support to the most vulnerable in North Korean society.

We call upon North Korea to allow UN humanitarian workers to carry out an independent needs assessment, and to allow aid to flow freely into the country.

We urge North Korea to refrain from further provocations, engage meaningfully with the US in dialogue, and abandon all of its nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

I thank you, Madam President.