Baghdad-INA
The United States on Monday condemned North Korea’s launch of a ballistic missile, coinciding with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s visit to South Korea.
A US State Department spokesman said, “These launches, like previous ballistic missile launches in recent years, violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions,” stressing that these operations “threaten” North Korea’s neighbors and “undermine regional security.”
He added, “We remain committed to a diplomatic approach and call on North Korea to engage in dialogue,” stressing at the same time that “our commitment to defending Japan and South Korea remains firm.”
On Monday, North Korea launched an unspecified ballistic missile, according to the South Korean army.
Yonhap News Agency quoted the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff as saying, “North Korea launched an unspecified ballistic missile toward the East Sea,” referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan, without providing further details.
Japan, for its part, also confirmed that the missile launch had occurred.
Blinken, who had earlier arrived in Seoul, met with South Korean President Yeon Suk-yeol on Monday morning, away from the media, according to what those close to him said.
Monday will also participate in the “Summit for Democracy,” an initiative by US President Joe Biden hosted by Seoul from Monday to Wednesday, in the presence of government officials, non-governmental organizations, and members of civil society.
Blinken said in brief statements at the opening of the summit, “Our democracies cannot serve the interests of a few, but they must include everyone.”
2024-03-19 02:07:35