N Korea slams UN for double standards over missile tests

Pyongyang fired a newly developed anti-aircraft missile, the latest in a recent series of weapons tests including the launches of a previously unseen hypersonic missile, ballistic missiles and a cruise missile with potential nuclear capabilities.

Jo Chol Su, director of the North Korean foreign ministry’s Department of International Organisations, said the Security Council meeting means an “open ignorance of and wanton encroachment” on its sovereignty and “serious intolerable provocation.”

Jo accused the Council of double standards as it remains silent about US joint military exercises and weapons tests with allies, while taking issue with the North’s “self-defensive” activities.

“This is a denial of impartiality, objectivity and equilibrium, lifelines of the UN activities, and an evident manifestation of double-dealing standard,” Jo said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency.

Jo warned the council could face consequences if it continues to breach the North’s sovereignty “with the double-dealing stick” and rely on “the US-style brigandish way of thinking and judgment.”

Pyongyang has said in recent

A newly developed anti-aircraft missile during a test conducted by the Academy of Defence Science (File photo)

weeks that its weapons tests are aimed at boosting its defence capabilities just as other countries do, accusing Washington and Seoul of “double standards” and “hostile policy” toward it.

The tests underscored how the reclusive state has been constantly developing increasingly sophisticated weapons, raising the stakes for stalled talks aimed at dismantling its nuclear and missile programmes in return for US sanctions relief.