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Fact-checking North Korea's missiles and the UN Resolution

"On world stage, Trump backs North Korea's scathing criticism of Biden"

Yet another example of Trump just saying what suits him at the moment, with not a care in the world whether it's right or wrong. Trump is Trump and will never change. He is the constant in the equation. The public's attitude toward the abject absence of any regard for the truth in Trump is the variable, so the worst thing about this relationship now is that so many Americans are working with him to normalize his corrosive character and his not caring about, in the long run, truly important values. If enough voters continue to turn their head to Trump's post-truth world what sort of societal values do they see as important to America? Not mischaracterized, so-called religious values for sure. Decency has departed from the White House. Only when Trump leaves will it have it's chance to return.

By Holmes Lybrand, CNN

Updated 2:29 PM ET, Mon May 27, 2019

VIDEO - Sarah Sanders pressed over Trump's North Korea tweet 02:09

(CNN) -- In early May, North Korea test fired short-range ballistic missiles, the first such launch since late 2017 and the first since President Donald Trump began meeting with North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un. Speaking to reporters over the weekend about these missile tests, US national security adviser John Bolton took a strong line.

"The UN Security Council resolution prohibits the launch of any ballistic missiles and there is no doubt that North Korea has violated the resolution," said .. https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/25/politics/john-bolton-north-korea-missile-un/index.html .. Bolton.

President Donald Trump downplayed the tests, tweeting .. https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1132459370816708608 .. Saturday that "North Korea fired off some small weapons, which disturbed some of my people, and others, but not me." He went on to say he has "confidence that Chairman Kim will keep his promise to me" in regards to the de-nuclearization of North Korea.

Facts first: Bolton is correct, current UN resolutions demand that North Korea not launch any ballistic missiles.

Back in October 2006, the UN responded to North Korea's first nuclear test by passing Resolution 1718 .. https://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/RES/1718%282006%29 .. which imposed sanctions and demanded that North Korea "not conduct any further nuclear test or launch of a ballistic missile." During this time Bolton served as US ambassador to the UN, playing a significant role in the resolution.

These sanctions were expanded .. https://www.un.org/press/en/2009/sc9679.doc.htm .. in 2009 with resolution 1874, following North Korea's second nuclear test. In 2012, when North Korea tested ballistic missile technology, the UN condemned .. https://www.un.org/press/en/2013/sc10891.doc.htm .. the country saying that the use of this tech was in violation of resolutions 1718 and 1874.

Related video: Satellite images show North Korea launch 02:42

While these recent tests are "short range" (reaching 186 miles before falling into the ocean, according .. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/north-korea/north-korea-tested-multiple-ballistic-missiles-latest-launch-pentagon-says-n1004116 .. to NBC News) the Congressional Research Service noted .. https://fas.org/sgp/crs/nuke/IF10472.pdf .. in a January paper on the country's "Nuclear and Ballistic Missile Program" that these tests "may be intended to increase the reliability, effectiveness, and survivability of their ballistic missile force."

According to the report, North Korea is attempting to create a nuclear warhead to fit on a ballistic missile -- and these short to medium range ballistic missile tests are working to beat any missile defense system they might face.

Trump does not see these tests as related to his stated goal of de-nuclearization, telling Politico .. https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/10/trump-joe-biden-interview-1317599?&nlid=630318 .. in an interview following the missile tests "these were short-range missiles and very standard stuff. Very standard."

While working to negotiate trade deals with China (one of North Korea's few allies) and working to re-engage with North Korea on de-nuclearization negotiations that failed in February, Trump is downplaying North Korea's missile tests -- in clear disagreement with his national security advisor.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/27/politics/trump-bolton-north-korea-missile-test-fact-check/index.html