North rejects IMO resolution against its missile launches

North Korea said Thursday it "rejects and never recognizes" the International Maritime Organization's recent resolution that denounced the North's missile launches following its satellite launch failure.

The new Chollima-1 rocket carrying a military reconnaissance satellite, Malligyong-1, launches from Tongchang-ri in the western coast of North Korea on May 31. [KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY]

North Korea said Thursday it "rejects and never recognizes" the International Maritime Organization's recent resolution that denounced the North's missile launches following its satellite launch failure.

A spokesperson for the North's Maritime Administration said the resolution is "unfair and illegal" and demanded the agency reflect the North's stance in its official document, according to the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency.

Last week, the IMO adopted its first-ever resolution "strongly" condemning North Korea's missile tests following Pyongyang's failed launch of its first military spy satellite on May 31.

The North's official said the IMO had told the North that it is not obligatory to notify the agency of a satellite launch plan, as navigation warning is directly delivered to vessels through the world navigational warning system in case of a satellite launch.

"Therefore, we cannot but express strong regret and displeasure at the fickle attitude of the organization," the spokesperson was quoted as saying by KCNA.

North Korea had notified Japan and the IMO of its plan to launch a satellite between May 31 and June 11. In response to the IMO resolution, the North hinted it may forgo a prior notice to the UN organization for its future satellite launch.

BY SOHN DONG-JOO, YONHAP [sohn.dongjoo@joongang.co.kr]