State Department Statement on North Korean Missile Launch
March 26, 2014
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North Korea launched
two No Dong medium-range ballistic missiles from near its west coast on March 26
(local time). Both flew in an easterly direction over North Korea's land mass and
impacted in the Sea of Japan, according to U.S. government information. It does not
appear that North Korea issued any maritime notifications providing warning of the
launches.
•
We are closely
monitoring the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
•
Coming on the heels of
the DPRK's March 3 and February 27 Scud launches, these March 26 launches of
medium-range No Dong ballistic missiles represent a troubling and provocative
escalation that the United States takes very seriously.
•
Launches using
ballistic missile technology are a clear violation of UN Security Council
resolutions 1718, 1874, and 2094. Resolutions 1718 and 1874 require North Korea to
suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile program and to re-establish
a moratorium on missile launches. Resolutions 1874 and 2094 further require the
DPRK to stop conducting any launches using ballistic missile technology.
•
We are closely
coordinating with our allies and partners, including in the UN Security Council, to
take the appropriate measures in response to this latest provocation and to address
the threat to global security posed by the DPRK's nuclear and ballistic missile
programs.
•
We urge North Korea to
exercise restraint and refrain from further threatening actions.