North Korea defied the new UN [WP report] and US sanctions [JURIST report] by firing a medium-range ballistic missile into the sea on Friday. This development comes within days of the weapons tests ordered by Kim Jong-un [JURIST report] which has been linked to the country’s pursuit of a long-range nuclear missile capable of reaching the US mainland. According to the South Korea military, the missile was launched from the north of the country’s capital, Pyongyang, and flew approximately 500 miles before hitting the sea off its east coast. A US official stated that the missile was launched from a road-mobile launcher, and would mark North Korea’s first test of a missile capable of reaching Japan since 2014. The missile launch prompted stern responses from various countries. The US State Department urged North Korea to fulfill its international commitments and obligations, while China and South Korea warned North Korea not do anything to exacerbate tensions. Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe [official website] demanded of “North Korea to exercise self-restraint” and stated that his country “will take all necessary measures, such as warning and surveillance activity, to be able to respond to any situations.”

North Korea has been on the radar of many countries and the UN over the past few months over both its missile tests and its human rights violations. In February, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon condemned [JURIST report] North Korea for violating international obligations after another missile launch was conducted. In January the US House of Representatives approved [JURIST report] legislation that would increase sanctions against North Korea for its continuation of nuclear testing. Japan has expressed particular concern over the missile tests. Last September, the House of Councillors, Japan’s upper house of parliament, approved a measure that allows Japan’s Self Defense Forces to deploy troops abroad for the first time since World War II. Japan PM Shinzo Abe specifically pointed to threats from North Korea [JURIST report] in arguing that the national military must take a more active role in order to strengthen its position. In November Japan and the EU circulated [JURIST report] a draft UN resolution condemning North Korea’s human rights abuses and encouraging the UN Security Council to refer the country to the International Criminal Court, noting reports of torture, limits on freedom of mobility, restrictions on freedom of speech, restrictions on freedom of religion, privacy infringement, arbitrary imprisonment, prison camps and more. In November 2014 the UN Special Rapporteur Marzuki Darusman said that there is enough evidence to hold Kim Jong-un responsible [JURIST report] for “massive” human rights atrocities committed in the country. In response to these concerns, the UN in June opened a new office [JURIST report] in Seoul to specifically monitor human rights in North Korea.