WASHINGTON, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Saturday reiterated its call for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) not to "aggravate tensions" hours after the latter fired another seven missiles off its eastern coast.
In response to the latest missile tests, U.S. State Department spokesman Karl Duckworth told the local media that "this type of North Korean (DPRK) behavior is not helpful."
"North Korea should refrain from actions that aggravate tensions and focus on denuclearization talks and the implementation of its commitments from the September 19, 2005 joint statement," he said.
The DPRK fired seven short-range missiles on Saturday, two days after Pyongyang reportedly test-fired four similar missiles.
The U.S. State Department on Thursday described the DPRK's actions as "not helpful and dangerous."
U.S. President Barack Obama said on the same day that his administration was trying to "keep the door open" for the DPRK's return to the six-party talks, designed to settle the nuclear issues on the Korean peninsula.
The talks involve the DPRK, the United States, China, South Korea, Japan and Russia. The first round was held in Beijing, China in August 2003.
However, the talks have been suspended since December 2008 due to sharp differences between the United States and the DPRK over verification of disabled nuclear facilities.
It was noted that the latest missile tests by the DPRK have occurred as Americans celebrate Independence Day, which falls on July 4.
In his weekly address, President Obama said the United States was facing a great number of challenges.
"We are facing an array of challenges on a scale unseen in our time. We are waging two wars. We are battling a deep recession ... spiraling health care costs, inadequate schools, and dependence on foreign oil," Obama said.
"We must remember and renew the American Spirit as we confront and meet our current challenges," he said.
"Meeting these extraordinary challenges will require an extraordinary effort on the part of every American, and that is an effort we cannot defer any longer," he noted.
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)
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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
