US urges N. Korea to refrain from 'provocative, destabilizing' actions after missile engine test
The North's firing of a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile is seen in this July 13, 2023 file photo carried by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap
The United States called on North Korea on Tuesday to refrain from "provocative" and "destabilizing" actions after Pyongyang claimed to have tested a solid-fuel engine for a new intermediate hypersonic missile.
The North's Korean Central News Agency said the regime successfully conducted a ground jet test of the engine in yet another indication that it has been doubling down on high-stakes military projects despite international criticism.
"We call on the DPRK to refrain from further provocative, destabilizing actions and return to diplomacy," a State Department spokesperson said in response to a question from Yonhap News Agency. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
"In particular, we encourage the DPRK to engage in substantive discussions on identifying ways to manage military risks and create lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula," the official added.
The announcement on the engine test came after Pyongyang said it conducted firing drills, involving super-large multiple rocket launchers, on Monday (Korea time). (Yonhap)