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, Madame President. I also thank Mr. Khaled Khiari for his briefing. 
 
Madame President,
 
Since the Security Council last met in late March on this agenda item, North Korea has only accelerated its nuclear and missile programs as if it were taking advantage of the lack of a strong Council reaction. 
 
Its ballistic missile launches on 4 and 7 May local time, twice in just one week, are clear violations of relevant Security Council resolutions.  One of them is presumed to be a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), indicating further diversification of its missile forces.  Japan strongly condemns these dangerous and destabilizing acts.  The absence of a public announcement by North Korea does not provide impunity. 
 
 
Madame President,
 
I have to also alert the Council that additional gravely worrying signs are looming in the nuclear dimension. 
 
North Korea announced in mid-April that it conducted another round of missile launches, stating that the missiles are for “strengthening the effectiveness of tactical nuclear operation”, the first announcement placing a specific launch in the context of its tactical nuclear weapons development. 
 
North Korea then publicly stated in late April that it would develop its nuclear forces “at the fastest possible speed.”  It also alluded to the possible use of nuclear weapons, not just for deterrence but for other purposes. 
 
Furthermore, there have been widespread reports of ongoing activities at a nuclear test site in North Korea, possibly in preparation for another nuclear test. 
 
 
Madame President,
 
We must not tolerate North Korea’s nuclear and missile development becoming a “new normal”.  The level of threat far exceeds what we saw in 2017 and is increasing.  It poses a grave and imminent threat to the security of Japan and beyond.  It challenges the very authority of this Council.  And it increases proliferation risks in every corner of the world and threatens international peace and security. 
 
Please allow me to emphasize the response that Japan strongly wishes to see from the Security Council. 
 
Firstly, we need swift Council’s action in the form of a new sanctions resolution.  North Korea has publicly declared that it will implement its five-year plan, which includes a new solid-fuel ICBM and tactical nuclear weapons.  The right message to discourage such potential developments and urge them to come back to diplomatic dialogue can only be sent through a new resolution.  Japan earnestly supports the US initiative for a new resolution in this respect.  We request all the other Council members to do the same. 
 
Secondly, a new resolution must match the increasing level of threat.  Japan considers it critical to follow up on what Security Council resolution 2397 stipulates on the further restrictions on oil in the event of a North Korean ICBM launch.  We also support possible actions in relevant fields including the cyber domain, which has been identified as a key source of North Korea’s revenue by the Panel of Experts in the 1718 Sanctions Committee. 
 
Madame President,
 
In conclusion, Japan reiterates its sincere and strong expectation that the Council will fulfill its responsibility 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.  Japan will continue to cooperate with Council members and all other Member States to reach a comprehensive solution to the issues related to North Korea.
 
I thank you.