April 12, 2012 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:
“Canada unreservedly condemns North Korea’s rocket launch of earlier today.
“This type of brazen behaviour is entirely reckless and provocative. It ignores not only international will but also the basic needs of the North Korean people.
“While the average North Korean starves and struggles, the country’s rulers squander scarce internal resources and external goodwill.
“Actions like today’s will only further isolate this rogue regime and keep North Koreans from the better, brighter existence they deserve but are being denied by those in power.
“Canada will continue to work with its international partners with a view to securing peace and prosperity on the entire Korean peninsula.”
Canada remains gravely concerned about North Korea’s aggressive activities, including missile tests and nuclear weapons development. Canada’s goal is to see North Korea resume adherence to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and comply fully with its safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
In August 2011, Canada imposed extensive economic sanctions against North Korea, which will remain in place until North Korea makes significant progress toward denuclearization and its aggressive activities cease. These sanctions are in addition to the sanctions resulting from UN Security Council resolutions that explicitly prohibit North Korea from conducting launches using ballistic missile technology.
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