The Ministry of Defence has confirmed it is monitoring the ongoing ballistic missile activities of North Korea, including short-range launches that took place on 14 January, according to a written statement.
The announcement came in response to a parliamentary question tabled by Democratic Unionist Party MP Jim Shannon (Strangford) on the potential policy implications for the UK following “recent reports of missile tests in North Korea.”
Responding to the query, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Luke Pollard stated that the launches “all violate UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCR),” and stressed the UK’s determination to uphold international law.
“The UK remains committed to calling out all violations of UNSCRs,” he noted, adding that Britain will “continue to work with partners to enforce existing UN approved sanctions on DPRK.”
North Korea’s ballistic missile programme has been a longstanding source of regional and global concern, prompting various international efforts to curb its development. UK officials reiterated their view that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s tests jeopardise security and stability, while also challenging UN measures designed to halt the proliferation of missile technology.
Although no new policy adjustments were disclosed, the Ministry of Defence’s stance highlights the UK’s broader strategy of working with allies to enforce sanctions on North Korea and maintain diplomatic pressure aimed at denuclearisation.
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As if Kim will care what the UK government thinks.
Are you aware of the structure of sanctions against North Korea? They require all five permanent members to remove them. So he will very much care.
slightly off topic but it seems Beijing was delighted by JD Vance’s speech. Chinese delegates were said to be the only ones clapping after the speech and they have been meeting with multiple European leaders for the first time.
One could see JD’s speech going down like Chamberlin’s Munich speech one day and being marked as the turning point, the end of Pax America and the beginning of the rain of China.
Never in the field conflict has a country blessed with so much power surrendered so quickly in the face of such weak and broken enemies. Third world dictators are rejoicing all over the world.
Starmer seems to be playing a very bad hand well at the moment but its a sticking plaster at best on the gaping wound that was the transatlantic world. We are just three weeks into Trumps term in office. Imagine what four years will look like.
Good news is there is talk of the UK joining a EUR 200 billion fund designed to facilitate the procurement of European, Norwegian and UK made weapons. This should help in the near term with getting spending up and bypassing the treasury . The UK will likely be guaranteeing 15% of the fund and will be able to access at least EUR 20 billion itself.
EUR 20 billion poured into the equipment plan over the net 5 years will make a major difference especially for Army systems but could also see additional acquisitions of Eurofighter and A400M as well as extra frigates.
For France, 30 jets, 3 frigates are on the table, but I think it is a minimum announcement. People are talking about 2 additional SNLE and the re creation of the ground to ground balistic missile, like where Hades or Pluton, just to respond to the missile based in Kaliningrad. The number of Aster is also on the rise. Though, like UK, the core issue is HR.
Most of the countries in Eastern Europe have started conscription to overcome the HR problem. It Could be we see that in the UK and France. There is talk of the UK forming a new Territorial Army for home defence. If volunteers are not forthcoming it may be that conscription is required. That being said European NATO has nearly 2 million soldiers even in its diminished state. Easily enough to take on Russia, what it lacks without the USA is strategic enablers, airpower, deep strike and above all sufficient nuclear weapons to truly deter Russia. None of this requires a large increase in human resources just more money.
That’s it Keir, you tell the naughty man to stop right now.