United States Condemns North Korea's Missile Test

JAKARTA - The United States denounced North Korea's missile launch on Wednesday, urging Pyongyang regime to refrain from "violating the law" and further "destabilizing", reaffirming Washington's "strong" security commitment to South Korea and Japan.

An official in the War Department issued the statement after North Korea launched several missiles on Wednesday morning (Korean time) in its first missile test in about five months ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC) which will take place in South Korea on October 31 and November 1.

"We are aware of several DPRK ballistic missile launches and are in close consultation with the Republic of Korea and Japan, as well as allies and other regional partners," the official said in response to questions from Yonhap News Agency.

It is known, the DPRK stands for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"The United States condemns these actions, and calls on the DPRK to refrain from unlawful acts that disrupt further stability," the official added.

The official further noted that Washington continues to monitor the situation, saying it has assessed that the launch of the latest missile poses no direct threat to US personnel or territory, or to its allies.

"The US commitment to the defense of South Korea and Japan remains steadfast," he said.

Earlier, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said they detected North Korean missiles launched northeast at around 8:10 a.m. from Junghwa County in the southern part of North Hwanghae Province. The missiles flew about 350 kilometers.

North Korea on Thursday said it had successfully tested two hypersonic projectiles, calling them a new "important" weapon system, and adding the "ultimate" missile strengthened North Korea's war prevention.

"Two hypersonic projectiles launched from Ryokpho District, Pyongyang City, to the northeast hit a target point in the Kwesang Peak plateau in Orang County, North Hamgyong Province," KCNA reported.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was not present at Wednesday's trial. However, Pak Jong-chon, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and other officials oversee the launch.

"This new cutting-edge weapon system is clear evidence of North Korea's gradual improvement in North Korean self-defense technical capabilities," said Sir, while declaring his country's determination to continue to strengthen war prevention and self-defense.

He described the weapons system being tested as "new strategic value."

The launch this week marks North Korea's first missile test since South Korean President Lee Jae-myung took office in June.