By Yi Whan-woo
South Korea, the United States and Japan have jointly asked the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) to convene an emergency session in response to North Korea's testing of a ballistic missile, Sunday, according to U.N. sources, Monday.
The UNSC is expected to hold a closed-door meeting at U.N. headquarters in New York at 7 a.m. (KST), Tuesday, to discuss possible measures to be taken against Pyongyang for launching the Pukguksong-2 intermediate-range ballistic missile.
The UNSC may issue a statement in condemnation of Kim Jong-un's ballistic missile program, which the organization has banned, they said.
“UNSC measures can vary from imposing sanctions to issuing a statement under its presidency's name, although it usually announces a press statement when North Korea launches missiles other than intercontinental ballistic missiles,” a source said.
Speaking before the members of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, Monday, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said Pyongyang's latest test shows its commitment to conduct additional provocations when necessary.
“This is a new level of provocation which South Korea, the U.S., Japan, the UNSC, and other members of the international community will take seriously,” Yun said, pointing out that it was Pyongyang's first ballistic missile test since October.
It was also North Korea's first ballistic missile test since Donald Trump was sworn in as the new U.S. president on Jan. 20, triggering speculation that Kim is making an implicit challenge to Trump.
Pyongyang's state-controlled Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Monday that Kim supervised the test while staying at the missile launch site for two days and spending time with military engineers and scientists there. The test was believed to be conducted from Banghyun, North Pyongyan Province.
The KCNA also said it was Kim who set the launch date for the Pukguksong-2.
“Our engineers were pumped up by our supreme leader who showed great love and faith for them. And they relentlessly assembled the missile,” it said.
Kim praised their efforts for successfully developing a weapon solely based on “our wisdom, our strength and our technology.”
The KCNA said Sunday's launch was “the most patriotic and loyal present” given to Kim's late father and former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, citing that it took place just days before Kim Jong-il's 75th birthday on Feb. 16.
A military source assessed that Kim paid special attention to the test, saying “It is unusual for him to stay at a missile launch site for two days in a row.”
“Kim must have played an active role in preparation of the firing this time,” it added.