The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) gave the following answer to a question put by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on October 20 as regards the fact that the U.S. is unreasonably finding fault with the DPRK over its test-firing of a new-type SLBM.
The test-firing of the new-type SLBM by the Academy of Defense Science of the DPRK on October 19 was a part of the normal activities for carrying out the medium- and long-term plan for the development of defense science, and it did not pose any threat or harm to the security of the neighboring countries and the region.
This notwithstanding, the U.S. is misleading the public opinion about the DPRK’s exercise of its legitimate right to self-defense as a “violation of the resolution” of the UNSC and a “threat” to the regional peace and stability by using the spokespersons for the White House and the State Department, and the Indo-Pacific Command, and it is showing such provocative moves as to call for convening an urgent meeting of the UNSC.
We are so much concerned that the U.S. is showing abnormal reactions to the exercise of our right to self-defense, which is only just as it is inherently belonging to a sovereign state.
We already made it clear that the DPRK’s deterrent does not aim at a specified state or forces but is for preventing the war itself and defending the sovereign rights. And the U.S. and south Korea have been excluded from the target of our arch-enemies.
In the recent test-firing, we did not have the U.S. in mind nor aimed at it. It is the work which had already been planned solely for the defense of the country. So there is no need for the U.S. to worry or trouble itself over the test-firing.
It is a clear expression of double-standard to criticize the DPRK for developing and test-firing the same weapon system as has been possessed or is developed by the U.S., and it only adds to our doubt as to the “seriousness” of its statement that it is not hostile towards the DPRK.
Tension would never be created on the Korean peninsula if the U.S. does not take issue with the DPRK’s normal and legitimate exercise of the sovereign right.
However, if the U.S. and its vassal forces persist in opting for a wrong action, it may act as a catalyst inviting much more serious consequences.
We have already expressed strong concern over the fact that the U.S. and the UNSC are tampering with a dangerous “time bomb”.