Statement by G7 foreign ministers on North Korea’s launch of an ICBM
We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, strongly condemn North Korea’s March 16 launch of another intercontinental ballistic missile ( ICBM) that undermines regional and international peace and security.
Since last year, North Korea has intensified its escalating measures with a record number of ballistic missile launches and its continued irresponsible and destabilizing rhetoric regarding the use of nuclear weapons. Earlier this year, North Korea publicly stated its intention to further expand and improve its illicit nuclear and missile programs.
We reiterate our demand that North Korea completely, verifiably and irreversibly abandon its nuclear weapons, existing nuclear programs and all other weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs and fully comply with all obligations under relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs). North Korea can never and never will have nuclear weapon state status under the NPT. We call on North Korea to engage in meaningful denuclearization diplomacy and to accept repeated offers of dialogue from Japan, the United States and the Republic of Korea.
We deeply regret the stark contrast between the frequency of North Korea’s repeated flagrant violations of UNSCR and the corresponding inaction of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) due to obstruction by some members. North Korea’s reckless behavior requires a swift and unified response from the international community, including further significant action by the United Nations Security Council. We call on all UN member states to fully and effectively implement all UNSCRs and UNSC members to live up to their commitments.
The G7 remains concerned about the dire humanitarian situation in North Korea and is committed to working with all relevant partners towards the goal of peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and upholding the rules-based international order.
