US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield addresses the UN Security Council, Friday, March 4, 2022. The U.N. Security Council has scheduled an emergency open meeting on the attack on Ukraine’s largest nuclear power plant. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
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UPDATED 10:07 AM PT – Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Several countries are calling North Korea out for its surge in missile tests this year. At the United Nations on Monday, U.S. ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield read a joint statement from 11 countries condemning North Korea’s posturing. Thomas-Greenfield also criticized the UN Security Council for failing to hold the Kim Jong-un regime accountable.
“While the DPRK escalates its destabilizing actions, the Security Council continues to remain silent,” she asserted. “Each ballistic missile launch that results in inaction by the council erodes the credibility of the UN Security Council itself in addressing the DPRK and undermines the global non-proliferation regime.”
Thomas-Greenfield has been trying to rally international support against North Korea’s ambitions since it fired its latest ballistic missile last week near its neighbors South Korea and Japan. This was the ninth missile test conducted by the regime this year so far and it came after a surge in missile tests in January.
While the DPRK escalates its destabilizing actions, the UNSC remains silent. Each ballistic missile launch that results in inaction by the UNSC erodes its own credibility. Thank you 🇦🇱🇦🇺🇧🇷🇫🇷🇮🇪🇯🇵🇳🇿🇳🇴🇰🇷🇬🇧 for once again joining us in calling out the DPRK’s escalatory provocations. https://t.co/UDKOlUSnGm
— Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield (@USAmbUN) March 7, 2022
Additionally, North Korean state media touted that their missiles can hit as far as Guam and the military is quickly developing a spy satellite. America’s UN ambassador warned these actions are blatant violations of several sanctions imposed on the country.
“Instead of embarking on a path of diplomacy and de-escalation, the DPRK has chosen to carry out an increasingly escalatory series of ballistic missile launches in total violation of international law,” stated Thomas-Greenfield. “We stand ready to collaborate and determine a mutually agreeable approach with other council members to address the DPRK’s provocations.”
In the meantime, the 11 UN members are demanding the Security Council to use its full powers to quell North Korea’s ambitions. Meanwhile, America’s Special Envoy to North Korea, Sung Kim is trying to rally regional partners behind a strong push to get the regime to the negotiating table through diplomatic channels.
Experts warn, however, as the Biden administration is focusing foreign policy resources on Russia and Ukraine, North Korea could push its limits with their missile tests.