We are very concerned about yet another North Korean ballistic missile launched on November 29 in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

Today, against the backdrop of constant military activity by the United States and its allies in the region around the Korean Peninsula over the last few months, it is particularly important that the involved parties not provoke each other, but rather display restraint and avoid any new actions that could lead to the further escalation of tensions. In this connection, we urge the DPRK to stop its missile and nuclear tests. We also urge the United States and the Republic of Korea to refrain from holding unscheduled and unprecedented air force exercises as announced, in early December this year, which will aggravate an already explosive situation.

Russia’s position regarding a Korean Peninsula settlement remains unchanged: an effective search for a long-term and mutually acceptable solution for the range of problems is only possible through persistent and energetic political-diplomatic work. In this context, we urge all parties to implement the Russian road map for a Korean settlement. We see no reasonable alternative to this.