White House condemns DPRK's latest missile launch

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
30 Aug 2023 23:49

The latest launch was made in response to the US-South Korea joint military exercises that involved a US B-1B strategic bomber.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (AP)

The White House condemned the DPRK's latest missile launch but said it remains committed to a diplomatic approach to engaging with Pyongyang, according to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

"We've been very clear about this condemning the DPRK's latest ballistic missile launch. This launch is in violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions and poses a threat to the DPRK's neighbors and international community. We remain committed to a diplomatic approach to the DPRK and calling DPRK to engage in dialogue as we have for some time now," said Jean-Pierre during a press briefing.

Jean-Pierre released her statement after the DPRK launched two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern waters on Wednesday. The launch was in response to US-South Korea joint military exercises that involved a US B-1B strategic bomber.

The air force drills were part of the South Korea-US Ulchi Freedom Shield and Warrior Shield field exercises, which are ongoing and began earlier this month.

Earlier today, the US called on the DPRK to abstain from "provocative actions" and instead consider the 'numerous opportunities' for negotiations, according to statements made by US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

Thomas-Greenfield addressed the media, stating, "We call on the DPRK to avoid engaging in provocative behavior and instead explore one of the numerous opportunities we have presented for dialogue."

Earlier this week, the DPRK's Ambassador to the United Nations, Kim Song, stressed that Pyongyang exercised its right to self-defense with its latest satellite launch attempt earlier this week.

Last week, the DPRK said its second attempt to launch a military reconnaissance satellite failed, and it announced that it would make a third attempt in October.