G8 Ministers ‘Ready to Consider’ Measures against N.Korea

RIA Novosti

07:01 13/04/2012

WASHINGTON, April 13 (RIA Novosti) - The Group of Eight industrialized nations lambasted North Korea’s rocket launch.

“We, the G8 Foreign Ministers, condemn the launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), which is a violation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1695, 1718, and 1874,” G8 foreign ministers said in a statement.

North Korea on Friday launched the Unha-3 rocket, but the three-stage craft apparently broke apart shortly after blastoff, according to reports by U.S., South Korean and Japanese officials.

“Sharing the view that the launch undermines regional peace and stability, we call on the DPRK to abstain from further launches using ballistic missile technology or other actions which aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula,” the G8 foreign ministers said.

“We are ready to consider, with others, taking measures responding to all activities of the DPRK that violate UN Security Council Resolutions, and calling for appropriate response by the United Nations Security Council,” they said.

The statement also urged North Korea to meet its international commitments.

A meeting of the G8 foreign ministers ended in Washington on Thursday.

Earlier the White House condemned the rocket launch. A White House spokesman said the launch halted a food aid program for North Korea.

North Korea said the rocket would put a weather satellite into orbit to mark the 100th anniversary of the country's founder, Kim Il-sung. It also said the launch was in compliance with the Space Treaty, which guarantees every state the right to carry out space programs.

But the international community suspects the rocket is part of a ballistic missile program.

Under a deal signed in February, Pyongyang agreed to suspend uranium enrichment, as well as nuclear and long-range missile tests in return for U.S. food aid.