Contrary to initial reports, the United Nations Security Council will hold a meeting in response this week regarding North Korea’s recent military reconnaissance satellite launch.
On May 29, a diplomatic source stated, “The meeting is scheduled to be convened at the UN headquarters in New York on May 30,” adding, “I understand that Security Council member countries such as South Korea, the U.S., and Japan requested the meeting the day before.”
North Korea launched its second military reconnaissance satellite south from the Dongchang-ri area in Cholsan, Pyonganbuk-do on May 27. However, it exploded mid-air after two minutes, resulting in a failed satellite launch.
North Korea’s military reconnaissance satellite launch violates Security Council resolutions that ban “all ballistic missile launches and all flying objects using this technology” from North Korea. This is because the principle of space launch vehicles is virtually the same as that of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
Earlier, multiple diplomatic sources told News1 the following:
- North Korea’s recent military reconnaissance satellite launch failed due to an in-air explosion.
- A joint response is difficult even if the Security Council is convened due to China and Russia’s “protection of North Korea.”
- In June, South Korea will take the lead in North Korean issues as the rotating chair of the Security Council and is not planning to request a separate Security Council meeting this time.
However, it is presumed that the direction of response has changed to convening a meeting, considering North Korea’s military reconnaissance satellite launch is regarded on the same level as an attempt to launch an ICBM.