International Maritime Organization Adopts North Korean Missile Test District Resolution

Missile Illustration (Photo: Doc. NHK News)

JAKARTA - The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted a resolution that strongly condemns North Korea's missile tests. This is the first time earlier this week, in a clear message against North Korea's increasing provocation.

The resolution, adopted at the 107th hearing of the IMO Maritime Safety Commission (MSC) in London on Wednesday (local time), denounced the missile's launch as a serious threat to the safety of international navigation.

The resolution also urges compliance with applicable rules, including providing an initial notification before any missile test.

In a press release, South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that it marked for the first time a committee, which handled maritime safety issues, adopted a resolution on North Korea's missile provocation, although it had previously denounced the test.

North Korea has stepped up its recent attack, launching a rocket they claim to be a "space launcher vehicle" suspected of carrying military reconnaissance satellites earlier this week.

Official documents adopted by the IMO are classified into resolutions, circulars and decisions, and some of the resolutions are considered the strongest recommendations for its member states, according to the ministry.

Previously, the MSC had adopted a circular expressing serious concern over Pyongyang's continued missile launch without initial notification to the IMOs that occurred in 1998, 2006, and 2016.

The resolution is not legally binding, but offers recommendations on maritime affairs as a guide for IMO member states and increases international community pressure on North Korea.

The IMO, based in London, is a special UN agency responsible for regulating shipping.