North Korea has said that its test-firing of a new submarine-launched ballistic missile in the waters off its east coast was successful.
The test-firing on Wednesday was North Korea’s first of a submarine-launched missile in three years, which occurred ahead of a restart of nuclear negotiations between North Korea and the United States this weekend.
The report did not elaborate on whether the missile was fired from a submarine, a barge or other underwater launch platform.
The Korean Central News Agency said the test of the Pukguksong-3 missile ushered in a new phase in containing the outside forces’ threat to North Korea.
KCNA said on Thursday the missile was launched in a vertical mode and that its test had no adverse impact on the security of neighbouring countries.
U.S. urges restraint
The United States called on Pyongyang on Wednesday to “refrain from provocations” and remain committed to nuclear negotiations after North Korea fired a ballistic missile off its east coast.
“We call on (North Korea) to refrain from provocations, abide by their obligations under U.N. Security Council Resolutions, and remain engaged in substantive and sustained negotiations to do their part to ensure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and achieve denuclearization,” a state department spokeswoman said in Rome.
EU slams Pyongyang
The European Union denounced on Wednesday North Korea's decision to fire a ballistic missile off its east coast as “yet another provocative action” and called for fresh talks between Washington and Pyongyang.
“We look forward to the resumption of working-level talks between the US and the DPRK and stand ready to support all international efforts for finding a diplomatic solution leading to lasting peace and security on the Korean Peninsula,” the EU said in a statement, referring to North Korea.
France “extremely worried”
Reports of new North Korean ballistic missile launches are “extremely worrying”, France's Foreign Affairs ministry said on Wednesday.
“Such an act cannot contribute to serious negotiations,” a spokeswoman for the ministry added after North Korea fired what may have been a submarine-launched ballistic missile from off its east coast, a day after it announced the resumption of talks with the United States on ending its nuclear programme.
