North Korean Missile Provocation... China Says "Differences Over Nature of Projectile"

"Differences Exist Among Relevant Parties," Says China
Avoids Judgment on Violation of UN Security Council Resolutions

Regarding North Korea's ballistic missile launched on May 26, the Chinese government commented on the differences in the international community's views about the nature of the projectile. However, China did not directly state its position on whether the launch violated United Nations Security Council resolutions.

According to Yonhap News Agency, at a regular press briefing on this day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning was asked about the Chinese government's stance on North Korea's ballistic missile launch and replied, "We have no new comment."

She added, "We note that there are differing views among relevant parties regarding the nature of the projectile."

North Korea launched an unidentified projectile into the West Sea on the 26th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

This is interpreted as China emphasizing the differences in views among relevant countries, including the two Koreas, on whether the projectile launched by North Korea should be considered a ballistic missile that violates UN Security Council resolutions.

China has consistently refrained from taking a clear position on whether North Korea's missile launches constitute violations of UN Security Council resolutions. When asked last month about China's stance on North Korea's short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) launch, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning also avoided a direct answer, stating that there were differing opinions among the relevant countries. Instead, China has emphasized the need to resolve issues on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and negotiation.

Such remarks from the Chinese Foreign Ministry are seen as effectively leaning toward North Korea's position regarding the issue of its ballistic missile launches.

Earlier, the Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that at around 1 p.m. on this day, they detected multiple projectiles, including a close-range ballistic missile (CRBM), launched from the Jeongju area of North Pyongan Province toward the West Sea.

According to military authorities, the missile detected this time flew approximately 80 km, and its exact specifications are being closely analyzed by South Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies. This is North Korea's first ballistic missile launch in 37 days since April 19, and the eighth such launch this year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.