In rare UN appearance, North Korea defends missile launch

North Korea, formally known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, has been under UN sanctions for its missile and nuclear programs since 2006. This includes a ban on the development of ballistic missiles.

North Korea’s launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was an exercise of its right to self-defense ‘to deter dangerous military moves of hostile forces and safeguard the security of our state,” the country’s UN envoy told the Security Council on Thursday during a rare appearance.