The United States strongly condemned North Korea's missile launches Sunday (local time), reaffirming its commitment to defend itself and South Korea by using the "full range of capabilities at our disposal."
"The United States strongly condemns the DPRK's ballistic missile launches tonight, which violate U.N. Security Council Resolutions explicitly prohibiting North Korea's launches using ballistic missile technology," State Department acting spokesman Mark Toner said.
Toner said the U.S. calls on all countries to use every available channel and means of influence to make clear to the North and its enablers that further provocations are unacceptable, and take steps to show there are consequences to its unlawful conduct.
He also urged the North to refrain from provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric, and to make the strategic choice to fulfill its international obligations and commitments and return to serious denuclearization talks.
"Our commitment to the defense of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, remains ironclad," Toner said. "We remain prepared, and will continue to take steps to increase our readiness to defend ourselves and our allies from attack, and are prepared to use the full range of capabilities at our disposal against this growing threat.” (Yonhap)