With the U.S. government split on its assessment of North Korea's recent missile tests,... the acting U.S. Secretary of Defense has waded in to the debate,... siding with those that call it a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
However, Patrick Shanahan also highlighted the Trump administration's intention to continue talks with Pyeongyang.
Kim Hyo-sun reports.

Acting U.S. defense chief Patrick Shanahan has stated that North Korea's latest test-firing of short-range projectiles into the East Sea this month was a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
Talking to reporters on Wednesday,... Shanahan stressed that what the North fired were indeed short-range ballistic missiles.

"These were short-range missiles and those are a violation of the UNSCR."

This is the latest assessment that contradicts earlier comments made by President Trump.
During his joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Monday, Trump said he didn't think the latest missile tests violated UN resolutions.
He also tweeted Sunday that he was not disturbed by the regime's firing of what he called "some small weapons."
Shanahan, however, also stressed that the Trump administration aims to continue dialogue with the regime while keeping sanctions and pressure in place.
Washington's Ambassador to Seoul Harry Harris also says the U.S. will continue talks with the North, despite the regime's latest test launch.
Speaking at the Jeju Forum on Wednesday,... he highlighted the fact that President Trump is keeping the door open to negotiations.
He also praised Trump on how he's dealing with Pyeongyang,... while adding that the international community needs to be patient.
Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.