North Korea defends firing of projectiles as "self-defensive, normal training"
- 5 years ago
We have North Korea's first response to its surprise firing of projectiles last weekend.
It describes the launches as part of a "normal and self-defensive training," arguing such training is different in nature from war drills.
Kim Hyo-sun reports.
North Korea's foreign ministry issued a statement on Wednesday saying its firing of short-range projectiles off its east coast last Saturday was part of (quote) "regular and self-defensive" training.
"The recent drill conducted by our army is nothing more than part of the regular military training, and it has neither targeted anyone nor led to an aggravation of the situation in the region."
A foreign ministry spokesperson commented on the military activity,... while addressing questions from a journalist from North Korea's state-run media.
The spokesperson was quoted as saying that any country can carry out military drills for the sake of national defense,... adding that denying the right to such drills will result in consequences that no one would want to see.
"Only our regular and self-defensive military drill is branded as provocative, and this is an undisguised manifestation of the attempt to press the gradual disarmament of our state and finally invade us. We think this is very much unpleasant and regrettable and we sound a note of warning."
Words like "missiles" or "rockets" were not mentioned in the statement.
Such a response seems to be aimed at South Korea,... which issued a relatively muted response to the launch, but warned the exercise went against the intent of the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement.
On Tuesday, South Korea's military also urged Pyeongyang to cease raising military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
North Korea's statement also addressed the current state of the denuclearization negotiations,... explaining the regime is remaining patient,... adding there were no significant responding measures.
Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.
It describes the launches as part of a "normal and self-defensive training," arguing such training is different in nature from war drills.
Kim Hyo-sun reports.
North Korea's foreign ministry issued a statement on Wednesday saying its firing of short-range projectiles off its east coast last Saturday was part of (quote) "regular and self-defensive" training.
"The recent drill conducted by our army is nothing more than part of the regular military training, and it has neither targeted anyone nor led to an aggravation of the situation in the region."
A foreign ministry spokesperson commented on the military activity,... while addressing questions from a journalist from North Korea's state-run media.
The spokesperson was quoted as saying that any country can carry out military drills for the sake of national defense,... adding that denying the right to such drills will result in consequences that no one would want to see.
"Only our regular and self-defensive military drill is branded as provocative, and this is an undisguised manifestation of the attempt to press the gradual disarmament of our state and finally invade us. We think this is very much unpleasant and regrettable and we sound a note of warning."
Words like "missiles" or "rockets" were not mentioned in the statement.
Such a response seems to be aimed at South Korea,... which issued a relatively muted response to the launch, but warned the exercise went against the intent of the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement.
On Tuesday, South Korea's military also urged Pyeongyang to cease raising military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
North Korea's statement also addressed the current state of the denuclearization negotiations,... explaining the regime is remaining patient,... adding there were no significant responding measures.
Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.