Uzbekistan expresses concern over North Korea's launch of a space missile

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan expresses concern about the launch of a carrier rocket by North Korea on May 31. This situation will lead to further escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula," the statement said.

Uzbekistan is against testing all types of weapons of mass destruction in accordance with the obligations arising from the resolutions of the UN Security Council.

"We firmly support active steps to ensure security on the Korean Peninsula for general prosperity and development," the statement reads.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the possible launch of a military satellite by North Korea. Guterres' spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said on Wednesday, May 31, that any launch using ballistic missile technology would violate UN Security Council resolutions.

At the same time, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it will hold three-way telephone talks with Washington and Seoul on peace and security issues on the Korean Peninsula.