The UN’s registration of North Korea’s most recent satellite as part of the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space does not give it legitimacy, according to a letter from Secretary General Ban KI-moon.

Writing to inform the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) of the registration last week, the Secretary General said the procedure was only a technicality.

“I wish to convey to the Security Council my understanding that, as a technical procedure under the above Convention, the act of registration does not confer legality or legitimacy on the launch of 7 February 2016,” the letter reads.

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