The ROK government takes note of the fact that the Presidential Statement strongly condemns the launch, underscoring that it is a serious violation of Security Council resolutions 1718 and 1874 and deploring that it has caused grave security concerns in the region.

The ROK government notes with appreciation that the Security Council demands that North Korea immediately comply fully with its obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions, including that it abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs; and not conduct any further launches that use ballistic missile technology, nuclear tests or any further provocation. The ROK government further welcomes the call of the Council for improved enforcement of existing sanctions on North Korea under the relevant resolutions, as well as its determination to take additional actions in the event of a further launch or nuclear test by North Korea.

The ROK government calls on North Korea to refrain from carrying out any further provocations that undermine the peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia and to fully comply with relevant Security Council resolutions in recognizing that the international community has asserted its stern and unified stand against its April 13 launch.

The ROK government will continue cooperation with the UN and countries concerned to ensure the peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.

The Statement by the President of the Security Council

North Korea launched a de facto long-range missile, which the North calls an "application satellite," at 07:39 on April 13, 2012 at a launching site located in Cholsan-gun, North Pyongan province, and it has been confirmed that the launch has failed.


The launch by North Korea is a clear violation of the United Nations Security Council resolution 1874, which prohibits any launch using ballistic missile technology, and a provocative act that threatens the peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.

The Government of the Republic of Korea strongly condemns that the new North Korean leadership pushed forward with the launch, disregarding the international community's unified call for withdrawal of the launch. North Korea must be held duly accountable for its actions.

It is very regrettable that North Korea is spending enormous resources on developing nuclear and missile capabilities while ignoring the urgent welfare issue of the North Korean people such as chronic food shortages.

The ROK government is considering comprehensive measures to respond effectively against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats including any additional provocation, and will take countermeasures against the launch in close coordination with related countries and the international community.

* unofficial translation