Japan urges restraint from DPRK, compliance with UN Security Council resolutions

Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday called for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to exercise restraint and adhere to U.N. Security Council resolutions.

While stating that the DPRK's nuclear and missile development programs are "unacceptable," Kishida went on to tell a press briefing here that Japan could "absolutely not" accept the DPRK's ambitions.

"In coordination with the international community, Japan needs to urge North Korea (DPRK) to exercise restraint and fully comply with U.N. Security Council resolutions," Kishida said, with reference to recent resolutions reiterating calls for the DPRK to cease its nuclear and missile development programs.

Kishida's remarks came after the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday adopted a new set of sanctions to be imposed on the DPRK as a result of Pyongyang's fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6 and the launch of a long-range rocket thereafter, which also violated previous UNSC resolutions.

Japan's foreign minister also referenced reports Friday that Pyongyang's military had been ordered to ready nuclear warheads.

"Japan absolutely cannot accept North Korea's nuclear and missile development," Kishida reiterated.