1. The Government of the Republic of Korea strongly condemns North Korea’s launch of ballistic missiles on September 5, as it constitutes a flagrant violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and a grave provocation demonstrating that North Korea’s nuclear and missile development is a real threat not only to the Korean Peninsula but also to its neighboring countries and the international community.

2. In particular, North Korea again engaged in a provocation in the midst of the G20 Summit, where the leaders of the participating countries were expressing a deep concern over North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. There is nothing that North Korea can gain from such a provocation: It will only and further strengthen the international community’s commitment not to accept North Korea’s nuclear program and to impose sanctions against and pressure on North Korea.

3. The Government of the Republic of Korea, in close cooperation with major countries, will take necessary measures, including at the UN Security Council, and maintain a tight readiness posture based on the ROK-US combined defense capabilities.


* unofficial translation