Kerry vows to work with UNSC to hold North Korea accountable for missile launch

US State Secretary John Kerry slammed North Korea’s Sunday missile launch, pledging to continue working with the UN Security Council to hold Pyongyang to account.

Earlier, North Korea launched a long-range rocket from the country’s northwest, Sputnik News Agency reported on Sunday.

"The United States strongly condemns today’s missile launch by the DPRK — a flagrant violation of UN Security Council Resolutions related to the DPRK use of ballistic missile technology… We will continue to work with our partners and members of the UN Security Council on significant measures to hold the DPRK to account," Kerry said in a statement.

The official reaffirmed Washington’s "ironclad" commitment to defense of the country’s allies, such as South Korea and Japan.

"Now is the time to do so in a firm and united way, with measures that make clear the determination of the international community to ‎address the pursuit of nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities by the DPRK and this most recent destabilizing and unacceptable challenge to our common peace and security," Kerry stressed.

Source: MENA