North Korean diplomat tells U.N. missile tests were a "legitimate right"

Record ID: 875708

  • Title: North Korean diplomat tells U.N. missile tests were a "legitimate right"
  • Date: 23rd May 2017
  • Summary: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (MAY 23, 2017) (REUTERS) UNITED NATIONS BUILDING U.N. CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT IN PROGRESS MEMBER STATES' DELEGATES DURING PLENARY U.S. DISARMAMENT AMBASSADOR, ROBERT WOOD, DURING PLENARY MEMBER STATES' DELEGATES NORTH KOREAN DIPLOMAT, JU YONG CHOL, DURING PLENARY MEMBER STATES' DELEGATES (SOUNDBITE) (English) NORTH KOREAN DIPLOMAT, JU YONG CHOL, SAYING: "The DPRK's (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) self-defensive measures to protect its dignity and vital rights, and genuine peace from the United States's escalating nuclear threat are the legitimate rights of a sovereign state and they are not against any international law. It is the United States's hostile policy and its aggressive joint-military drills, nuclear threats and military build-up around the Korean peninsula that really aggravates the situation in the Korean peninsula and in the region and which compel the DPRK to bolster up its nuclear deterrence." MEMBER STATES' DELEGATES DURING PLENARY JAPAN DISARMAMENT AMBASSADOR, NOBUSHIGE TAKAMIZAWA, DURING PLENARY MEMBER STATES' DELEGATES DURING PLENARY, AMONG WHOM SOUTH KOREAN DISARMAMENT AMBASSADOR, KIM INCHUL (SOUNDBITE) (English) NORTH KOREAN DIPLOMAT, JU YONG CHOL, SAYING: "The DPRK categorically and totally rejects the latest U.N. Security Council's press statements, which called into question DPRK's legitimate right. DPRK is a full-fledged nuclear power whether someone recognises it or not. Though the United States is trying to, in every way, in collusion with its fellows, to create international atmosphere for sanctions against the DPRK, they should bear in mind that the more pressure upon the DPRK will only serve for the DPRK to continue bolster up its nuclear deterrence and drive my country to push ahead preparations for more tests. Thank you." U.N. CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT IN PROGRESS MEMBER STATES' DELEGATES (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. DISARMAMENT AMBASSADOR, ROBERT WOOD, SAYING: "The United States, as I have said many times before, is not the threat to the DPRK. The biggest threat to the DPRK, to the regime, is the regime itself, and it needs to come into compliance with its international obligations, and it needs to do it now. It is under sanctions, will continue to be under sanctions, and this ridiculous remark that U.N. Security Council resolutions are not international law is just ridiculous. But again, this is the regime, that professes to be about peace, but indeed, is the biggest threat to the stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Thank you Mr. President." VARIOUS OF PLENARY IN PROGRESS
  • Embargoed: 6th June 2017 12:47
  • Keywords: DPRK nuclear missiles North Korea United Nations disarmement conference Ju Yong Chol United States
  • Location: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
  • City: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
  • Reuters ID: LVA0016I285L3
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: North Korea's recent missile tests are a legitimate act of self-defence by a "fully-fledged nuclear power" and are not against international law, North Korean diplomat Ju Yong Chol told the U.N. Conference on Disarmament on Tuesday (May 23).
    The U.N. Security Council condemned the launch of a ballistic missile test on Sunday (May 21) by North Korea and again expressed its concern over the North's behaviour.
    Ju Yong Chol warned the council that they should bear in mind that the more pressure put upon the DPRK will only cause North Korea to up its nuclear deterrence and prepare more tests.
    U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood responded that it was "ridiculous" to claim North Korea's actions were legal.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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