The launch earlier today of a ballistic missile by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) seriously violates multiple United Nations Security Council Resolutions. This and previous launches constitute a threat to international peace and security and further aggravate tensions in the region at a time when de-escalation is instead needed.
The DPRK is expected to comply with its international obligations: it must halt these launches and abandon its ballistic missiles programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. The same holds true for its nuclear, nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction programmes.
The European Union calls on the DPRK to engage in a credible and meaningful dialogue with the international community. The European Union is ready to support such a process for dialogue. The High Representative/Vice-President, Federica Mogherini will remain in close contact in the coming days with all of the European Union's international partners, following her address to the UN Security Council earlier this week and her visits to Beijing, New Delhi and Moscow last month.
