We condemn North Korea’s illegal launch of a medium-range ballistic missile on 14 January in the strongest possible terms. It is worrying that North Korea is this year continuing its series of missile tests, which are contrary to international law, and is thereby threatening regional and international peace.

This launch constitutes a grave violation of North Korea’s obligations under the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. It poses a blatant threat both to the security of our partners in the region and to global security.

We urge North Korea to refrain from further tests, to fulfil its obligations under international law, to accept the offers of dialogue put forward by the United States and South Korea and to enter into serious negotiations on the dismantling of its nuclear and missile programmes. North Korea is under an obligation to completely, verifiably and irreversibly end its programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles.