Responding to North Korea’s latest ballistic missile launch on Monday, Pakistan expressed deep concern and urged diplomatic engagement and dialogue to address the growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The missile was launched at the same time as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Seoul, where he met with South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok.

Pakistan’s ambassador to the UN, Munir Akram, addressed the UN Security Council on Thursday and strongly supported the revival of negotiations between the relevant parties.

The missile launched by North Korea was described by Pyongyang as a new type of intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile (IRBM) equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle. Akram condemned this development, terming it detrimental to regional and international peace and security.

Pakistan reiterated its commitment to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and called for the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions and global disarmament goals.

The country also expressed opposition to further nuclear weapons tests and missile provocations, underscoring the need for an end to coercion and threats in the region.

“Provocations such as missile tests and threats must end,” Akram said. “Pakistan opposes any further nuclear weapons tests in Korea or elsewhere.”

The South Korean military reported detecting a projectile believed to be an intermediate-range ballistic missile after the launch. UN officials warned that North Korea’s missile program continues to undermine global non-proliferation efforts.

Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, stressed that while the launch had no direct impact on the security of neighboring countries, North Korea failed to issue the necessary airspace and maritime border security announcements.

North Korea’s ambassador to the United Nations, Song Kim, defended the missile test, describing it as a necessary step to strengthen the country’s national defense and strategic deterrence. He warned that any physical conflict on the peninsula would result from “reckless actions” by the United States and South Korea.

Kim urged the UN Security Council to refrain from criminalizing North Korea’s actions, citing double standards in the application of international law.