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N Korea vows more missile tests
06/07/2006 08:17 - (SA)
Seoul - North Korea on Thursday publicly acknowledged for the first time that it had tested missiles and vowed to continue launching them, threatening to take even stronger action if opponents of the tests pressure the country.
The North Korean foreign ministry made the comments in a statement one day after the country test-fired at least seven missiles, including an abortive launch of a long-range Taepodong-2. The launches drew international condemnation.
"The successful missile launches were part of our military's regular military drills to strengthen self defence," said the statement, carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency.
"As a sovereign country, this is our legal right and we are not bound by any international law or bilateral or multilateral agreements," it said, echoing comments on Wednesday by a foreign ministry official.
The ministry said the launches were unrelated to six-party talks aimed at persuading the country to abandon its nuclear programmes, and that Pyongyang was still committed to the peaceful denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.
'Stronger physical actions'
The tests will continue, the North said, in line with South Korean official comments that Pyongyang appeared to be preparing for further launches.
"Our military will continue with missile launch drills in the future as part of efforts to strengthen self-defence deterrent. If anyone intends to dispute or add pressure about this, we will have to take stronger physical actions in other forms," the statement said.
North Korea accused the US of being hostile to the communist regime, and blamed Washington for blocking progress at the six-party talks with its financial restrictions.
"Under these conditions, it is clear to every one that there is no need for us to hold off on missile launches," it said.
- AP
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