We condemn in the strongest possible terms today’s illegal test of several short-range ballistic missiles by North Korea.

This test is a further serious violation of the conditions set out in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and is a blatant threat to security both on the Korean Peninsula and in the entire region. It is alarming that Pyongyang is, also this year, continuing its series of missile tests, which are contrary to international law, and is thereby threatening regional and international peace.

We urge North Korea to refrain from further missile launches, 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 illegal 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.