The resolution coded 1695 demanded that the DPRK immediately return to the negotiation table without condition, dismantle nuclear weapons and related programmes, and suspend any ballistic missile programmes. It also asked Pyongyang to abide by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and other safety regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

 

However, the resolution was revised to drop a reference to Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which is legally binding and can authorise tough economic sanctions or even military action in case of non-compliance. The move was proposed by China and Russia to rule out the possibility of using military force against Pyongyang.

 

The UN resolution immediately received strong opposition from Pyongyang.

“We totally reject the resolution,” said DPRK Ambassador to the UN Pak Gil-Yon, adding that Pyongyang would continue missile launch exercises in the future and that the resolution aimed to isolate and bring more pressure to bear upon the Pyongyang government. He stressed that the DPRK’s ballistic missile programme is the key to balancing strength and maintaining peace and stability in North-east Asia.

 

According to analysts, Pyongyang’s reaction seems predictable as the North-east Asian country has been aware of sanctions to be imposed by the UN. But why did the country still launch missiles despite strong opposition from the international community and possible UN sanctions?

 

Although a DPRK spokesperson affirmed that the missile tests were just aimed at increasing its missile defence capacity, the underlining causes of the move may be that the DPRK wants to heighten its position in the six-party talks and warns against any threats from western countries, particularly the US.

 

Analysts said the DPRK aim is to draw the US into the bilateral talks that Pyongyang has pursued for years. However, the resolution showed the UN and the international community’s clear-cut attitude towards Pyongyang’s nuclear programme. That the US and the West accepted the revision of the resolution without articles of Chapter 7 indicated their concession to Russia and China.

 

In fact, the DPRK had defied the efforts of the international community and the goodwill of Russia and China to unilaterally test-fire missiles. This explained why Russia and China agreed to sign the resolution asking Pyongyang to stop launching missiles. Previously, Russia and China had rejected any sanctions against the DPRK. Furthermore, UN Security Council members dropped a reference to Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, allowing the use of armed forces if an additional detailed resolution is approved. In return, China did not veto Resolution 1695 to impose sanctions on the DPRK.