The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has declared its recent test-fire of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) as a \"legitimate and just exercise of its sovereign right to self-defense.\" The statement, released by the DPRK Foreign Ministry and reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Saturday, emphasizes that the missile test is a response to what it describes as provocative actions by hostile forces.
In the statement issued on Friday, a DPRK Foreign Ministry spokesman accused the United States and its allies of attempting to undermine the DPRK's right to self-defense by planning a meeting of the UN Security Council. Additionally, the DPRK criticized joint air drills conducted by these forces on the Korean peninsula and surrounding areas, labeling them as aggressive maneuvers that dangerously escalate tensions.
The DPRK expressed serious concern over the confrontational behavior of hostile forces, which it claims create a critical situation for its national security. The statement strongly denounces these actions as \"a wanton violation of the UN Charter and other recognized international laws\" and views them as a significant threat to international peace and security.
Highlighting its strategic stance, the DPRK reaffirmed its commitment to deterring the threat of nuclear war. The statement asserted that the DPRK will continue to manage the political and military situation in the region by countering what it perceives as the persistent military threats from the United States and its allies with its absolute power.
The latest ICBM test, identified as the Hwasongpho-19, was conducted on Thursday and is considered a crucial development in the DPRK's missile capabilities.
Reference(s):
DPRK Foreign Ministry says ICBM test-fire a 'legitimate exercise'
cgtn.com
