nkorea

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

North Korea must stop lawless acts and respect international law
Akahata editorial

The Japanese government on July 5 announced that North Korea from early in the morning launched several ballistic missiles, including one that is believed to be a long-range Taepodong-2 missile.

The North Korean missile launch, disregarding concerns many countries have about such an act, is in violation of international law and agreements and threatens the peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

Missiles launched without prior notification

Firing missiles or rockets into the high seas without prior notification endangers the navigation of aircraft and ships and contravenes international law, an act that reneges on the Convention on International Civil Aviation and the International Maritime Organization Convention to which North Korea is a party.

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on the same day at a news conference expressed "strong protest against the North Korean missile launch that was carried out in disregard of international law as well as international agreements." He also demanded that North Korea "immediately end such lawless acts and comply with the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration as well as international law."

Alarmed to learn that North Korea was preparing to fire the "Taepodong-2" ballistic missile, the June 25 issue of Akahata carried an editorial strictly demanding that North Korea "stop preparing to launch missiles that will only threaten the international peace and its own safety as well."

In the 2002 Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration, North Korea "expressed its intention that, pursuant to the spirit of this Declaration, it would further maintain the moratorium on missile launching in and after 2003." In the 2000 U.S.-North Korea Joint Communique, North Korea "informed the U.S. that it will not launch long-range missiles of any kind while talks on the missile issue continue." North Korea's missile launches violate all of these international agreements.

In 1998, North Korea launched the Taepodong-1 missile and was severely condemned internationally. In the light of subsequent international agreements, North Korea's recent missile launches must face even stronger international criticism.

Many countries have expressed their concern, protest, and criticism of North Korea's missile launches. The United Nations Security Council has begun to discuss the matter.

As the JCP pointed out in Shii's statement, "If North Korea is to become a member of the international community, it is indispensable for it to settle the accounts of its past lawless international acts and establish a position of complying with international law."

Concerted international efforts are called for

The Japanese government moved to impose economic sanctions against North Korea and brought the matter to the UNSC.

Commenting on Japan's decision to impose economic sanctions at the July 5 press conference, JCP Chair Shii said, "It could be proper that the government takes appropriate measures, including economic sanctions for the purpose of having North Korea comply with international law."

Concerning the government's decision to call on the UNSC to take up the matter, Shii said, "Given North Korea's clear violation of international law, it is natural for the UNSC to hold consultation on the issue." He also said, "It is important for the UNSC to discuss international concerted efforts to urge North Korea to observe international law with the view of internationally confirming the effort to resolve the North Korea issue diplomatically at the six-party talks."

The international community is called upon to respond to North Korea's lawless missile launches.
- Akahata, July 6, 2006