The countries of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a UN agency, reported today, Wednesday, that "the missile tests conducted by North Korea threaten the safety of commercial shipping in the busy sea lanes of Northeast Asia." More than 100 countries participating in the IMO's security committee agreed on a decision that strongly condemned the missile tests, considering them to "seriously threaten the safety of sailors and international shipping."
In a document, it was stated that "North Korea is not in a position to provide advance notification of its military maneuvers and self-defense actions." North Korea rejected the decision and the document presented by the United States, South Korea, Japan, and other countries. They argued that the missile tests are routine and planned self-defense measures taken to protect national security. The missile launches were based on precise scientific calculations, considering their impact points and the routes of vessels navigating the waters.
North Korea's sixth attempt to launch a satellite on Wednesday failed, resulting in the rocket booster and payload falling into the sea. Nonetheless, this triggered a state of alert and evacuation warnings for residents in parts of South Korea and Japan. Meanwhile, the official Korean Central News Agency reported on Thursday that Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, stated that the country's military reconnaissance satellite would soon enter orbit and pledged to intensify military surveillance efforts.
