1. North Korea, in the statements by the spokespersons of the government and the Foreign Ministry on March 4, declared that it totally rejects UN Security Council Resolution 2270 and will take counter-measures, thereby manifesting its intention not to abandon its delusion about nuclear development.

2. This demonstrates that North Korea has chosen to disregard the international community’s resolution, unanimously adopted by the member states of the UN Security Council, and to go against the international community’s wish for peace on the Korean Peninsula and as well as the whole world, which constitutes a head-on challenge to the unified resolve of the international community.

3. In response to such reckless actions by North Korea, the government of the Republic of Korea will make North Korea wake up from its delusion about nuclear development through strong and effective measures. The ROK government has already stated that it will no longer tolerate the exploitation of its own people and the extreme and brutal reign of terror for the maintenance of the Kim Jong-un regime.

4. The ROK government, by maintaining a stronger-than-ever defense posture and closely cooperating with the international community, will respond to North Korea’s provocations and resistance.

5. The ROK government hopes that North Korea abandons its nuclear weapons development and takes the path of peace, which is the wish of the international community, including the UN. In addition, the ROK government once again strongly urges North Korea to wake up from the delusion that nuclear weapons will protect its regime and to immediately choose the path of sincere change for denuclearization.

* unofficial translation