US, South Korea, Japan condemn North Korea’s ballistic missile launch
(VOVWORLD) - The US, Japan, and South Korea on Wednesday issued a joint statement condemning North Korea’s launches of ballistic missiles that included an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Sunday and Monday.
 A Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile is launched on December 18, 2023 (Photo: KCNA/VNA)
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The statement says North Korea’s provocations pose a grave threat to the Korean Peninsula, the region, and international peace and security.
It says the launches are yet again a blatant violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. The North’s unannounced launches also threatened civil aviation and maritime traffic in the region.
The statement said the North’s ICBM and other recent missile launches serve as a reminder of the need for all countries to fully implement North Korean-related UN Security Council resolutions and urged North Korea to abide by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and immediately cease all activities that violate them.
The US reiterated its commitment to defend South Korea and Japan.
The three countries urged North Korea to stop conducting further provocative acts and accept their call for engaging in substantive dialogue without preconditions.