How did countries react after North Korea launched the Hwasong-15 missile?

(Baonghean.vn) - Immediately after North Korea conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launch on November 29, the United States, Japan, South Korea... had strong reactions.

1. US - China - Japan leaders hold phone call after North Korea's missile launch

US President Donald Trump said at the White House that he would handle the situation after North Korea launched a missile. He said he had a long discussion with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis about the incident.

In the early morning of November 29, North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with an estimated range of up to 13,000 km and capable of reaching anywhere in the United States. On the same day, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump had phone calls with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

President Donald Trump emphasized the role of China and urged China to increase pressure on North Korea to stop what the US considers aggressive actions. President Donald Trump also expressed his desire to discuss and exchange with China to find a solution to the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula.

US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed to push for a response to North Korea's missile program, while calling on China to be more active in this regard.

On the same day, US President Donald Trump spoke at the White House about how to handle the situation after North Korea launched a missile. He said he had a long discussion with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis about the incident.

2. UK - Germany summons North Korean ambassador to protest ICBM test

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel. Photo: EPA.

The British Foreign Office said that on November 29, the country summoned the North Korean Ambassador to the UK to protest North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile test.

In a statement, Mark Field, the UK Foreign Office's Minister for Asia and the Pacific, said he had summoned the DPRK Ambassador to express Britain's opposition and condemnation of North Korea's latest missile test.

Germany's foreign minister condemned North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile test, saying he would summon the country's ambassador to protest.

"North Korea has broken international law again," German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said today about North Korea's latest missile test launch, saying Pyongyang's actions "pose a major threat to world security," according to Reuters.

Mr. Gabriel strongly condemned Pyongyang's test launch of the Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), and affirmed that he would summon the North Korean ambassador to protest.

3. Russia calls on North Korea to stop ballistic missile tests

Mr. Vasily Nebenzya - Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stressed: “We call on North Korea to stop ballistic missile tests, and the US and South Korea not to conduct large-scale, unplanned Air Force exercises in early December so as not to further complicate the situation.

The Russian Foreign Ministry affirmed that Moscow has not changed its position on the North Korean issue and does not oppose any diplomatic solution to resolve this issue.

Also on November 29, Chairwoman of the Russian Federation Council Valentina Matvienko informed journalists that Russia will continue to make efforts to resolve the situation on the Korean Peninsula: “We will continue to make efforts to persuade North Korea to stop all nuclear and missile tests, and the US, South Korea and other countries to stop provocative actions because this will not bring anything good.”

4.China strongly opposes North Korea's missile test

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang. Photo: VCG

Responding to North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile test, at a regular press conference of the Chinese Foreign Ministry held on the afternoon of November 29 in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang voiced strong opposition, expressing China's opposition to North Korea's missile and nuclear tests.

China believes that the United Nations has issued specific Resolutions regarding North Korea's illegal development of nuclear warheads and missiles, and requires all parties to strictly comply with these Resolutions.

Spokesperson Geng Shuang said: "China expresses deep concern and opposition to North Korea's missile launches. China demands that North Korea comply with relevant Security Council resolutions and immediately stop actions that escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula."

5. The Japanese government immediately criticized North Korea's move.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Photo: Reuters.

North Korea's latest missile launch was a "violent" act that "can never be tolerated," Japan's prime minister said, calling for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

"We strongly protest against North Korea's actions. I request (the United Nations Security Council) to hold an emergency meeting. The international community needs to unite and implement thorough sanctions. We will not allow any provocations to take place and will maximize pressure," CNN quoted Mr. Abe as telling reporters in Tokyo on November 29.

In a separate press conference, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the two leaders did not discuss military options against North Korea. Suga noted that Japan would closely coordinate with the United States and South Korea in responding to the launch.

6. South Korea: No tolerance for North Korea's provocations

South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Source: Reuters

President Moon Jae-in on November 29 strongly condemned North Korea's missile launch earlier in the day, vowing to take the strongest possible measures in response.

Speaking at an emergency meeting of the National Security Council convened just hours after North Korea launched what appeared to be an intercontinental ballistic missile, the South Korean leader said: "I strongly condemn North Korea for its reckless provocations... The South Korean government will never tolerate North Korea's provocations."

In addition, President Moon also stressed that Pyongyang must immediately abandon the development of nuclear weapons and missiles, asserting that pursuing these programs will only lead to North Korea's isolation and destruction, and calling on the country to return to the negotiating table immediately.

7. The United Nations holds an emergency meeting.

Panorama of the UN Security Council meeting in New York, USA. Photo: THX/TTXVN

On the afternoon of November 29 (morning of November 30, Hanoi time), the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held an emergency meeting to discuss North Korea's latest missile test launch, but did not issue a joint statement.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Mr. Sebastiano Cardi, Ambassador of Italy - the country holding the presidency of the UNSC in November, said that all UNSC member countries urged North Korea to stop its nuclear and missile tests and emphasized the need to strictly implement the UNSC's resolutions on the issue of North Korea.

However, as in the emergency meetings after each previous North Korean missile or nuclear test, leaked information from the closed meeting on November 29 once again showed that the UNSC member countries have not yet agreed on how to handle the North Korean nuclear and missile issue.

Kim Ngoc

​(Synthetic)