Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the launch of an intercontinental ballis

The EU strongly condemns the DPRK’s illegal launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on 18 February and the subsequent firing of short range ballistic missiles on 20 February.

These were dangerous and reckless actions that blatantly violated UN Security Council resolutions.

The DPRK’s intention to continue developing the means to deliver nuclear weapons anywhere in the world threatens all countries. Its use of resources to support its unlawful weapons programme exacerbates the humanitarian situation of its population. The international community must respond in a united and firm manner before the DPRK’s actions further undermine the international non-proliferation architecture and raise military tensions in the region. The DPRK must immediately comply with UN Security Council resolutions by abandoning all its nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missile programmes and existing nuclear programmes, in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner and cease all related activities.

The EU urges all UN Member States to join it in calling on the DPRK to immediately cease all missile launches and resume dialogue with the relevant parties. To encourage a resumption of peaceful diplomacy, it is critical that all UN Member States demonstrate their commitment to the full implementation of sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council. The EU will continue to work with partners in restricting flows of finance, knowledge and components that the DPRK could use to support its unlawful weapons programme.

The only viable route to sustainable peace and security on the Korean peninsula lies in the DPRK complying with its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions. The DPRK cannot and will never have the status of a nuclear weapon state under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty or any other special status in that regard. The EU urges the DPRK to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

The EU expresses its full solidarity with Japan and the Republic of Korea. The EU is ready to work with partners in promoting a meaningful diplomatic process aimed at building sustainable peace and security through the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.