The text of the following statement was issued by the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, and the High Representative of the European Union.
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We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, condemn in the strongest terms the launch by North Korea using ballistic missile technology. August 24, 2023. The launch is a clear, blatant violation of several United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCR) and a serious threat to regional and international peace and stability.
Despite repeated calls from the international community, North Korea continues to ramp up its escalating actions through a record number of ballistic missile launches, which only underscores its determination to advance and diversify its illegal nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities. Attests to resolution. We once again demand that North Korea renounce its nuclear weapons, existing nuclear programs and any other weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner and fulfill all obligations under relevant UNSCRs. Kindly follow North Korea cannot and will never be granted nuclear weapon state status under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
North Korea’s reckless actions must be met with a swift, united and strong international response, especially by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The inaction of the UNSC due to obstructionism by some members, as well as the frequency of repeated egregious violations of the UNSCR by North Korea, is a cause for significant concern. We urge UNSC members to abide by their commitments. We call on North Korea to engage in meaningful diplomacy and to accept repeated offers of dialogue by Japan, the United States, and the Republic of Korea without preconditions.
We condemn North Korea’s decision to channel its limited resources into financing illegal weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs, which are increasing human suffering and contributing to human rights violations and abuses in North Korea.
The G7 is committed to working with all relevant partners towards the goal of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and to upholding the international order based on the rule of law.
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