US 'condemns' North Korea's missile launch
The US State Department on Monday condemned North Korea's (DPRK) missile launch and called on both Pyongyang and Seoul to engage in a dialogue process amid escalating tension.
"The United States condemns the DPRK's missile launch. This launch is in violation of multiple UN Security Council Resolutions and poses a threat to the DPRK's neighbours and the international community. We remain committed to a diplomatic approach to the DPRK and call on them to engage in dialogue," the department said in a statement.
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On Tuesday, North Korea fired at least one unidentified projectile into the East Sea, Yonhap News Agency reported citing South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
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No other details were immediately available, including whether the projectile was a ballistic missile banned under UN Security Council resolutions, how many were fired, where the launch took place and how far it flew.
The launch came three days after Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said that the North could declare a formal end to the Korean War as suggested by the South and even discuss the possibility of a summit on conditions that Seoul drops its double standards and hostile attitudes against it, Yonhap News Agency reported.
North Korea has long accused South Korea and the United States of "double standards", claiming it makes no sense for them to denounce the North's missile launches and other weapons tests as banned "provocations" when they are free to conduct such tests.
North Korea is banned from all ballistic missile activities under the United Nations Security Council resolutions, though Pyongyang has claimed they are aimed at beefing up self-defence against threats posed by South Korea and the United States.
-PTC News
