北朝鮮による弾道ミサイル発射を受けた安保理緊急会合(公開会合)における石兼大使ステートメント（英文）

Thank you, Mme. President. I also thank Ms. Rosemary A. DiCarlo for her briefing. 
 
Mme. President,
 
Yesterday, North Korea launched an ICBM-class ballistic missile which flew an estimated 1100km with an apogee of an estimated 6000km, the longest reach of any North Korean launch to date.  It impacted in the Japanese Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), just 150km from Japanese soil. 
 
Japan strongly condemns this dangerous and destabilizing act.  It endangered vessels in our EEZ and exposed aircraft in the surrounding area to great safety risk. It poses an imminent and grave threat to Japan’s security.
 
This is yet another serious violation of multiple resolutions adopted unanimously by this Council.  It increases proliferation risks in every corner of the world and threatens international peace and security.   
 
Mme. President,
 
This is a clear escalation. We need concrete and immediate action by this Council.  Let me make three points. 
 
First, the latest launch is the first full-scale ICBM launch since November 2017.  Japan was seated in this chamber at that time and recalls that that event led to the subsequent adoption of Security Council Resolution 2397.  This resolution stipulates that “if the DPRK conducts… a launch of a ballistic missile system capable of reaching intercontinental range”, the Council “will take action to restrict further the export to the DPRK of petroleum.”  I urge the Council to follow up and do what it already agreed to do. In this regard, I welcome the US initiative to introduce a new resolution.
 
Second, each of North Korea’s repeated missile launches must not be viewed in isolation.  They are part of its reinvigorated nuclear and missile programs.  North Korea has publicly declared that it intends to acquire various weapons including tactical nuclear weapons.  These willful and repeated violations of Council resolutions are partly a result of the long regrettable silence of the Council.  This should end now. 
 
Third, this takes place when the world is struggling to restore peace in Ukraine and save many innocent civilian lives there.  We must not allow North Korea to take advantage of this situation and further develop its prohibited capability.   
 
Mme. President,
 
The Council has repeatedly made clear that it is necessary to realize the dismantlement of all of North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner in accordance with relevant Council resolutions. 
 
These resolutions are not only about what North Korea needs to do, but also what we, the other Member States, are obliged to do.  Japan strongly urges all Member States to fully implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions.  It is not time for easing sanctions at all. 
 
In conclusion, Japan expects that the Council will fulfill its responsibility by swiftly taking united action.  Japan will continue to work closely with Council members and all other Member States to reach a comprehensive solution to the problems related to North Korea.
 
I thank you.