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2nd Ld-Writethru: UN Security Council slams DPRK satellite launchUNITED NATIONS, Jan 22, 2013 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- The UN Security Council on Tuesday condemned the satellite launch on Dec. 12 by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), saying that Pyongyang "used ballistic missile technology and was in violation of resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009)." The 15-nation UN body, in a unanimously-adopted resolution, said that it "condemns the DPRK's launch of Dec. 12, 2012, which used ballistic missile technology and was in violation of resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009)." The Council "demands that the DPRK not proceed with any further launches using ballistic missile technology, and comply with resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009) by suspending all activities related to its ballistic missiles program and in this context re-establishing its pre-existing commitments to a moratorium on missile launches," said the resolution. In mid December, the DPRK's official KCNA news agency confirmed that the country launched and orbited an earth observation satellite. According to the KCNA, a Unha-3 rocket carrying the second version of the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite blasted off from the Sohae Space Center in Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province at 9: 49 a.m. local time (0049 GMT) on Dec. 12. The satellite entered its preset orbit 9 minutes and 27 seconds after the liftoff, said the agency. After the launch, the DPRK has defended its right to launch a satellite for peaceful and scientific purposes. The new Security Council resolution "demands that the DPRK immediately comply fully with its obligations under resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009), including that it abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner; immediately cease all related activities, and not conduct any further launches that use ballistic missile technology, nuclear test or any further provocation." Meanwhile, the Council "reaffirms its desire for a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the situation, welcomes efforts by Council members as well as other states to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive solution through dialogue, and underlines the need to refrain from any action that might aggravate tensions," the resolution said. The Council "reaffirms its support to the Six-Party Talks, calls for its resumption, urges all the participants to intensify their efforts on the full and expeditious implementation of the Sept. 19, 2005 Joint Statement issued by China, the DPRK, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and the United States, with a view to achieving the verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner and to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, " the resolution added. |