JABAR EKSPRES – North Korea on Thursday (Aug 6) said it “rejects and never recognizes” the latest resolution adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) condemning North Korea’s missile launches following its attempt to launch a spy satellite.
A spokesman at the North’s Maritime Administration denounced the IMO resolution as “unjust and illegal” and demanded the international maritime safety body reflect the North’s stance in its official documents, according to the North’s official news agency (KCNA).
Last week, the IMO adopted its first resolution “strongly” condemning North Korea’s missile tests, following the country’s failed May 31 launch of a military spy satellite.
North Korea officials said the IMO had conveyed to North Korea that there was no obligation to notify the UN body of the planned satellite launch. That’s because navigation warnings are sent directly to ships through the world navigation warning system in the event of a satellite launch.
“Therefore, we can only express our deep disappointment and displeasure at this organization’s capricious attitude,” the spokesman was quoted as saying by KCNA.
North Korea has notified Japan and the IMO of its plans to launch a satellite between May 31 and June 11.
In response to the IMO resolution, North Korea signaled that it may no longer give the UN maritime safety body advance notice for future satellite launches.
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