US urges N. Korea to refrain from raising tensions after missile launch

The United States urged North Korea on Thursday to refrain from raising tensions after the communist nation fired a medium-range ballistic missile into the East Sea.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the North fired a Rodong missile into the East Sea. It was believed to be the first time in about two years that the North has launched the medium-range missile.

The launch, banned under U.N. Security Council resolutions, represented the latest show of force against the ongoing joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States.

"We have seen reports that North Korea launched a ballistic missile," State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement, adding that the U.S. is closely monitoring the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

"We call again on North Korea to refrain from actions that further raise tensions in the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its international commitments and obligations," Kirby said.

Kirby also said that the U.S. remains steadfast in its commitment to the defense of its allies South Korea and Japan and will continue to coordinate closely with the allies and partners in the region. (Yonhap)