North Korea fired two medium-range Rodong ballistic missiles into the sea on March 26. Its first firing in four years of mid-range missiles that can hit Japan followed a series of short-range rocket launches over the past two months.
Members of the UNSC on March 27 condemned the move as a violation of U.N. resolutions and that it would continue discussions on an "appropriate response.”
North Korea (DPRK) reacted on Sunday with a threat to conduct what it called "a new form of nuclear test.
"The DPRK made it very clear, we will carry out a new form of nuclear test. But I recommend you to wait and see what it is," North Korea's Deputy U.N. Ambassador Ri Tong-il said on Friday during the normally reclusive state's third U.N. news conference this year.
Ballistic missile launches are banned under UNSC resolutions adopted in response to North Korea's multiple nuclear tests and rocket firings. The council expanded its existing sanctions after Pyongyang's February 2013 atomic test, its third nuclear detonation since 2006.
The UNSC’s sanctions on Pyongyang target the country's missile and nuclear programs and attempt to punish North Korea's reclusive leadership through a ban on the export of luxury goods to the country.
Ri accused the United States of being "hell bent on regime change" in North Korea by blaming its leaders for human rights violations. He also said Washington was blocking a bid for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula by ignoring North Korean proposals, so it can maintain military presence in the region.
By Ruchi Singh
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com