N. Korean missile launch ‘undermines regional security’ – – UN Chief

New York, Aug. 29, 2017 (dpa/NAN)UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned North Korea’s latest ballistic missile launch.

“The launch undermines regional security and stability and efforts to create space for dialogue,” Guterres said in a statement released by his office.

Guterres called on Pyongyang to fully comply with its international obligations and work towards reopening communication channels.

The secretary-general said he remains in close contact with all parties.

NAN reports that North Korea launched a missile, which flew over Japan before falling into the Pacific Ocean 1,180 km east of Hokkaido, the northernmost of the three Japanese islands.

The launch was conducted at 5:57 a.m. local time (21:27 GMT on Monday).

The Japanese military said the projectile was likely a Hwasong-12 ballistic missile.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula has become aggravated in recent months due to Pyongyang’s missile launches and nuclear tests, all conducted in violation of the UN Security Council resolutions.

On Aug. 2, President Donald Trump signed a bill on new sanctions against North Korea, as well as Russia and Iran.

Three days later, on Aug. 5, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2371, which further tightens sanctions against North Korea in response to Pyongyang’s ballistic missiles tests.

In June, China put forward a road map for the settlement of the North Korean crisis, the so-called double freeze plan, which provides for the simultaneous cessation of both North Korea’s nuclear activity and the U.S.-South Korean military exercises.

The initiative has been supported by Russia but rejected by the United States.

North Korea has yet to issue a response to the proposal. (Reuters/NAN)