European Union on the launch of an inter-continental ballistic missile

The EU strongly condemns the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) launch of another intercontinental ballistic missile on 18 December, for the fifth time this year, following the launch of a short-range ballistic missile the day before.

The DPRK must cease these illegal and dangerous launches, which blatantly violate UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) and undermine international peace and security as well as the global non-proliferation regime.

The DPRK must comply immediately with its obligations under UNSCRs 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. This is the only viable route to sustainable peace and security on the Korean peninsula.

The DPRK cannot and will never have the status of a nuclear weapon state in accordance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The EU urges the DPRK to return immediately to full compliance with the NPT as a non-nuclear weapon state and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, bring into force the Additional Protocol and sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The DPRK’s use of resources to support its unlawful weapons programmes exacerbates the difficult living conditions and human rights situation endured by much of its population.

It is critical that all UN Member States, especially Members of the UN Security Council, urge the DPRK to resume meaningful dialogue, and ensure the full implementation of UN sanctions. The EU urges the DPRK and Russia to refrain from any exchanges of military equipment, missile technology or ammunition and abide by the successive UNSCRs that clearly prohibit any arms exports or imports involving the DPRK. The EU condemns any military support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine provided by the DPRK, and reiterates its deep concern about reports of DPRK arms transfers to Russia.

The EU expresses its full solidarity with the Republic of Korea and Japan. The EU is ready to work with all 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.