Ban Calls on North Korea to Refrain from Ballistic Missile Technology Usage

New York, 25 Rabiul Akhir 1437/4 February 2016 (MINA) – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called upon North Korea to refrain from using ballistic missile technology and work for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

A statement released Wednesday by Ban’s press office confirmed that the UN chief has seen the reports that the North notified several international organizations of its intention to launch a satellite in the coming weeks, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) reported, quoting KUNA.

Ban said that this is “a deeply troubling development, and will further aggravate the profound concerns that the international community already has in the wake of the recent nuclear test.” Therefore, Ban stands ready to help to reduce tensions and facilitate reconciliation and dialogue, the statement concluded. (end

Meanwhile, China said Wednesday it is “seriously concerned” about North Korea’s plan to launch a satellite later this month
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“China hopes North Korea will exercise restraint on the issue and deal with it prudently so as to avoid possible escalation of tension,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang was quoted as saying at a press briefing in Beijing.

“The North is entitled to peaceful use of outer space, yet this right is restricted by resolutions by the United Nations Security Council,” Lu said.

It is a shared responsibility of all parties concerned to maintain peace on the peninsula, and regional stability is in the interests of all sides, the spokesman added.

Three UN organizations — the International Civil Aviation Organization, International Maritime Organization and  International Telecommunications Union — have been informed that North Korea plans to launch an earth-observation satellite between Feb. 8 and 25. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)