The German Government condemns today’s launch of two short‑range ballistic missiles by North Korea – the third test of this kind in just a few days. In launching these missiles, North Korea is violating obligations under relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

We call on North Korea to completely, verifiably and irreversibly end its nuclear weapons programme, other programmes for the development of weapons of mass destruction and its ballistic missile programme and to prove its real readiness to do so by entering into a viable process of negotiation. We are gratified that, on the initiative of the UK, France and Germany, the UN Security Council yesterday (1 August) once again considered North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes.