G7 demands "significant action" on North Korea over repeated missing launches

Washington: The G7 nations criticised North Korea's frequent missile tests and asked the UN Security Council to take "significant action" to halt the tests. The Asian nation on Friday launched another intercontinental ballistic missile. It appears to have the potential range to hit the US.

The G7 statement is calling for a "united and robust response by the international community, including the need for further significant measures to be taken by the UN Security Council." A representative of the European Union also joined in on the statement, reported AFP.

In November alone, North Korea fired 30 short, medium, and long-range missiles. The one launched on Friday landed in Japan's exclusive economic zone west of Hokkaido. North Korean state news agency KCNA said it is "the strongest strategic weapon in the world." Some missiles tested in October flew over and past Japan which created a tense ambience. Warning sirens were sounded in northern Japan.

The UN passed a dozen resolutions imposing sanctions on North Korea's missile and nuclear activity since 2006. However, Pyongyang tested six nuclear bombs between 2006 and 2017. It has launched more missiles in 2022 than ever before.

North Korea's government has vowed to never cease its nuclear programme. The G7 demanded that the UN take action to verifiably dismantle North Korea's nuclear programme. The international body further said the reclusive nation "will never have the status of a nuclear-weapon state."

Foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States said the repeated launching of missiles "further destabilise the region." They added that North Korea is continuing its actions despite calls for peace and stability from the international community.