MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) expressed “serious concern” and “strongly denounces” the recent ballistic missile launches conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
In a statement, the DFA expressed its strong condemnation to the ballistic missile launches, calling them “provocative actions” that undermine economic progress, peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region.
According to the statement, Manila called out the DPRK to “promptly cease these activities” and abide by all international obligations, including relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.
The Philippines also urged all parties concerned to “commit to a peaceful and constructive dialogue.”
Earlier, North Korea fired what appeared to be multiple short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast, South Korea's military said last week, possibly to test the performance and stability of various projectiles intended for export.
Reuters reported that the missiles were launched from Wonsan, North Korea's eastern coastal city, around 8:10 a.m. (2310 GMT Wednesday) and flew up to 800 km (497 miles) before splashing down in the sea, the military said in a statement.
South Korea is closely communicating with the U.S. and Japan to share information about the launch, it added. The foreign ministry said the three countries' nuclear envoys consulted by telephone and condemned it as a violation of U.N. sanctions.
South Korea's Joint chiefs of Staff spokesperson Lee Sung-jun declined to comment on the exact number of missiles detected or their characteristics, but told reporters the launch may have been to test the performance of missiles intended for export.
The nuclear-armed North's ballistic missile programme is banned by United Nations Security Council resolutions, but in recent years Pyongyang has forged ahead in developing missiles of all ranges.
In March, North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles, opens new tab, while blaming the South Korean and U.S. militaries for conducting drills it calls dangerous and provocative.
North Korea has exported short-range ballistic missiles, among other weapons, to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine, according to U.S. and allied intelligence agencies as well as independent researchers.
Pyongyang and Moscow have denied the weapons trade, although North Korean troops have been deployed to fight on the frontlines in Russia's Kursk region.
(With reports by Ju-min Park, Joyce Lee; Editing by Ed Davies and Stephen Coates / Reuters)
