N.Korea accuses U.N. of double standards over missile tests, warns of consequences

FILE PHOTO: A newly developed anti-aircraft missile is seen during a test conducted by the Academy of Defence Science, in this undated photo released on October 1, 2021 by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). KCNA via REUTERS

SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea said on Sunday the United Nations Security Council applied double standards over military activities among U.N. member states, state media KCNA said, amid international criticism over its recent missile tests.

The Council met behind closed doors on Friday upon requests from the United States and other countries over the North's missile launches.

The meeting came a day after Pyongyang fired a newly developed anti-aircraft https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nkorea-says-it-conducted-anti-aircraft-missile-test-yesterday-kcna-2021-09-30 missile, the latest in a recent series of weapons tests including the launches of a previously unseen hypersonic https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-says-it-test-fired-new-hypersonic-missile-kcna-2021-09-28 missile, ballistic missiles and a cruise missile with potential nuclear capabilities.

Jo Chol Su, director of the North Korean foreign ministry's Department of International Organisations, said the Security Council meeting means an "open ignorance of and wanton encroachment" on its sovereignty and "serious intolerable provocation."

Jo accused the Council of double standards as it remains silent about U.S. joint military exercises and weapons tests with allies, while taking issue with the North's "self-defensive" activities.

"This is a denial of impartiality, objectivity and equilibrium, lifelines of the U.N. activities, and an evident manifestation of double-dealing standard," Jo said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency.

Jo warned the council could face consequences if it continues to breach the North's sovereignty "with the double-dealing stick" and rely on "the U.S.-style brigandish way of thinking and judgment."

Pyongyang has said in recent weeks that its weapons tests are aimed at boosting its defence capabilities just as other countries do, accusing Washington and Seoul of "double standards https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nkorea-fires-unidentified-projectile-into-sea-off-east-coast-skorea-2021-09-27" and "hostile policy" toward it.

The tests underscored how the reclusive state has been constantly developing increasingly sophisticated weapons, raising the stakes for stalled talks aimed at dismantling its nuclear and missile programmes in return for U.S. sanctions relief.

The United States has criticised the launches as "destabilising" and posing regional threats, but said it has no hostile intent https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nuclear-envoys-japan-us-skorea-met-after-nkorea-missile-test-2021-09-14 toward North Korea, urging it to accept offers to resume negotiations.

White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Friday that Washington remained ready to discuss a "full range of issues."

"We've made specific proposals for discussions with the North Koreans, but have not received a response to date," she told reporters.

(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by William Mallard and Michael Perry)