SEOUL, July 4 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's foreign
ministry on Saturday expressed regrets on the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea (DPRK)'s firing of short-range missiles off its east coast, calling it a
provocative action which violates UN Security Council resolutions.
"The government has confirmed that North Korea fired
four ballistic missiles from the Gitdaeryong site in Gangwon Province," the
ministry said in a statement.
The ministry called the firing a provocative action
which violates UN Security Council resolutions 1695, 1718, and 1874 that banned
the DPRK from any activity related with ballistic missiles.
The UNSC resolutions were reached when the DPRK
conducted its nuclear tests, first in 2006 and the latest one in May this year.
The ministry expressed deep regrets over the DPRK
continuing to attempt actions that elevate tensions in northeast Asia and urged
the DPRK to faithfully implement the resolutions.
"The government will closely cooperate with other
related countries to deal with the latest missile firing," the ministry added.
Earlier in the day, the DPRK launched four
short-range missiles off its east coast, and three more after the statement by
the foreign ministry was announced.
A South Korean government official, right after the
firing in the morning, said the firing appears to have political purposes as it
was conducted a day before the U.S. Independence Day.
DPRK fires additional missile, raising
total number to 7
SEOUL, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of
Korea fired one additional short-range missile on Saturday, raising the total
number of missiles fired in the day to seven, local media reported.
According to South Korean Joint Forces, the DPRK fired an
additional missile off the east coast from a base near Wonsan, Gangwon Province
at around 05:40 p.m. (0840 GMT), in addition to six short-range missiles fired
at the same place earlier in the morning. Full story
Japan calls Pyongyang's missile launch "provocation"
TOKYO, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Japan condemned Pyongyang's latest missile launch, calling it a serious act of provocation, the top government spokesman said Saturday.
"It is a serious act of provocation against the security of neighboring countries, including Japan, and is against the resolution of the U.N. Security Council," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said in a statement. Full story
South Korea eases humanitarian aid ban against DPRK
SEOUL, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Humanitarian aid from South Korea was permitted to be sent to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday, said a South Korean government official on Friday. Full story
DPRK's missile launches "not helpful," says U.S.
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U.S. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly speaks during a news conference at the State Department in Washington D.C., capital of the United States, July 2, 2009. The United States said on Thursday that the missile test-fires by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) are "not helpful" and are "dangerous." (Xinhua/Zhang Yan)
Photo Gallery>>> |
WASHINGTON, July 2 (Xinhua) -- The United States said on Thursday that the missile test-fires by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) are "not helpful" and are "dangerous."
"North Korea knows exactly what it has to do ... They need to cut out these kinds of provocative actions and return to denuclearization talks," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told a routine news briefing. Full story
U.S. keeps door open for DPRK's return to disarmament talks: Obama
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U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington June 23, 2009.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Photo Gallery>>> |
WASHINGTON, July 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama said on Thursday that his administration is trying to "keep a door open" for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s return to the six-party talks which was designed to make the settlement of nuclear issues on the Korean peninsula.
In his exclusive interview with The Associated Press, Obama insisted that the DPRK give up its nuclear weapon programs. Full story
Yonhap: DPRK fires fourth short-range missile off east coast
SEOUL, July 2 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired four short-range missiles off its east coast on Thursday, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported.
DPRK fired the first missile at 05:20 p.m. (0820 GMT) and the other three at 06:00 p.m., 07:50 p.m. and 09:20 p.m. respectively from Sinsang-ni between the eastern coastal city of Hamhung and Wonsan, the report quoted a South Korean official as saying. Full story
Japanese PM condemns Pyongyang's latest missile test-firings
TOKYO, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso said on Thursday the latest test-firings of missiles by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) as a "provocative act."
"We have often warned that such a provocative act is not beneficial for North Korea's national interest," Aso was quoted by Kyodo News as saying, adding it is difficult to understand what kind of message Pyongyang wants to send with its latest missile launches. Full story
U.S. beefs up sanctions against DPRK
WASHINGTON, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions against two companies that were allegedly involved in nuclear weapon and missiles-making activities by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
The United States will freeze any assets held by Namchongang Trading Corp. of the DPRK, and bar it from any dealings with American companies or individuals, the State Department said in a statement. Full story
DPRK's nuclear weapons not to threaten others: newspaper
PYONGYANG, June 28 (Xinhua) -- The nuclear weapons of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) were "neither threatening other countries, nor be used for preemptive attacks," said a commentary carried by the Rodong Sinmun daily on Sunday.
The DPRK's nuclear deterrent is, to all intents and purposes, of self-defensive nature and has an aim and mission to champion peace, the commentary said. Full story
