PRETORIA, July 11 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's
Republic of Korea said here on Tuesday that last week's missile launches were
part of efforts to protect itself against outside threats and increase its
self-defense capabilities.
Visiting DPRK Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hyong-jun
made the statement at a press conference following talks with his South African
counterpart Aziz Pahad in Pretoria.
DPRK Vice FM Kim Hyong-jun poses in Pretoria after meeting his South African counterpart Aziz Pahad July 11. (AFP Photo) |
Kim Hyong-jun defended his country's legitimate right
to missile test, saying that the latest launches were part of a routine military
exercise. The vice minister also attacked the United States for its military
exercise with Japan in waters off the Korea Peninsula.
Kim said the DPRK would stop launching missiles if
the United States halted its military exercises which he described as being
disruptive to peace on the Korea Peninsula.
"The United States is now conducting a military
exercise in the waters off the Korea Peninsula. This military exercise is a
serous violation of the sovereignty, equality and non-interference of internal
affairs," he added.
The topic of DPRK's recent missile tests formed part
of the discussions between the two ministers in the South African capital.
The DPRK raised international alarm when it launched
seven missiles, including a long-range missile.
Last Wednesday, Japan drafted a United Nations
Security Council resolution against the move.
The resolution expressed concern that the missile
tests violated DPRK's pledge to maintain a moratorium on missile launching and
endangered civil aviation and shipping, through its failure to provide advance
notice to airmen and mariners.
However, the DPRK said that it was not a signatory to
the Missile Technology Control Regime.
The DPRK maintains that the moratorium on long-range
missile tests which the DPRK agreed with the United States in 1999, was valid
only while DPRK-U.S. dialogue was taking place.
Pahad said that South Africa and the DPRK had
discussed a wide range of issues, including the recent missile launches.
South Africa called on the DPRK to stop the missile
tests and to return to the six-party talks unconditionally. Enditem
