Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to then United Nations, at the United Nations Security Council Open Briefing on “Non-proliferation/Democratic People’s Republic of Korea”

Thank you, Madame President. I also thank Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo for her briefing.  
 
North Korea's series of actions, including the latest launch using ballistic missile technology, threaten the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the entire international community. All of these are flagrant violations of the relevant Security Council resolutions. Japan joins Secretary General in strongly condemning North Korea for the launch against relevant Security Council resolutions.
 
Madame President, colleagues,
 
Let us be clear. This is not about whether it was a satellite or not. This is not about if the launch failed or not. This is about yet another violation of the resolutions of this Council. The launch uses ballistic missile technology, which this Council has prohibited in order to stop North Korea’s unlawful development of nuclear weapons and their means of delivery. Space launch vehicles use the identical technology as ballistic missiles which can mount nuclear warheads. We are not discussing the peaceful use of outer space or legitimate security concerns. Regardless of whether it is a missile or a military satellite, and regardless of whether it succeeds or fails, it is a violation of the Council’s resolutions.
 
What we should not overlook is that North Korea clearly states its intention to violate the resolutions once again. It has announced that it will soon launch another “military reconnaissance satellite” after the “failure.” I urge all Council members to join the call of the Secretary General to cease such acts. It is disrespectful of this Council and the United Nations Charter.
 
Madame President, colleagues,
 
The last time we gathered in this Chamber to discuss the North Korean non-proliferation file, I reminded fellow colleagues of North Korea’s “five-year military plan”. The plan includes the launch of military reconnaissance satellite. Here is what we have been witnessing:
 

• First, North Korea’s steady implementation of their long-pursued nuclear and missile programs and military satellite launch being as part of them;
• Second, continued silence and inaction by the Council against repeated violations by North Korea;
• Third, North Korea taking full advantage of the Council’s silence and inaction.

 
Some argue that the Council should not meet. They contend that the Council should not provoke North Korea and should instead seek to ease tensions, or that silence and self-restraint would contribute to calming the situation. This is simply wrong.
 
As I have repeatedly said, our silence has only encouraged, and will continue to encourage, rule breakers to write the playbook as they like.
 
What we, all of us here, are entrusted to do by all the Members States of the United Nations is to fulfill our heavy responsibility to maintain international peace and security, and not to turn our eyes away from violations of this Council’s own resolutions.
 
Madame President, colleagues,
 
Last but not least, it is also of great regret that we see the North Korean regime continue to spend huge resources on its unlawful nuclear and missile programs while sacrificing the welfare of people in North Korea. If the money spent on launching the military satellite had been spent on the people instead, how many would have been fed?
 
Again, Japan urges North Korea not to conduct further launches and once again urges North Korea to immediately and fully comply with all relevant resolutions and to engage in diplomacy and accept the repeated offers of dialogue. I also urge all Council members and Member States to join this call.
 
I thank you, Madame President.