UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Khaled Khiri told the Security Council on Wednesday that global efforts for disarmament and non-proliferation are at risk.
It has been reported that DPRK or North Korea has launched a new medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile (IRBM) just two days ago.
A senior UN official quoted an official statement issued by North Korea as saying that the missile ended its flight at 12 times the speed of sound and fell into the sea.
According to the DPRK, the missile launch did not have any negative impact on the security of neighboring countries, although no notification was issued for aviation and maritime security.
Assistant Secretary General Khaled Kheri said on the basis of this statement, through this system, the defensive system of the opposing country can be destroyed.
Hypersonic vehicle systems fly at least five times the speed of sound and are relatively difficult to target by defense systems.
Five year plan
He expressed concern that this is the fourth time since early 2024 that the DPRK has fired a missile with an IRBM system.
At the same time, intercontinental ballistic missiles as well as short-range missiles are also launched. Also, an attempt was made to launch a reconnaissance satellite for military purposes.
The assistant secretary-general said the DPRK is active in acquiring new military capabilities as part of its five-year military development plan. This project has now entered its final year.
According to him, the plan aims to develop nuclear weapons, very large nuclear warheads, other medium and long-range missiles, military reconnaissance satellites, nuclear-powered submarines and other capabilities.
The DPRK administration recently insisted that the plan would be successfully completed in 2025.
Disarmament efforts hurt
Khaled Kheri said that the DPRK’s continued nuclear and ballistic missile programs are undermining the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation system.
“This raises tensions and further isolates the DPR in the international community.” He called on the DPRK to fully comply with all its international obligations.
The Assistant Secretary-General said that we have entered a time of increasing challenges to world peace and security in 2025, and that de-escalation on the Korean Peninsula is crucial.