US condemns North Korea’s missile test, calls for diplomatic engagement.

The National Security Council Condemns North Korea’s Missile Testing

The National Security Council (NSC) has released a statement strongly condemning North Korea’s recent test of a long-range ballistic missile. The Biden administration, along with its allies, is currently assessing the situation.

“The United States strongly condemns the DPRK for its test of a long-range ballistic missile,” NSC spokesperson Adam Hodge stated in a released statement from the White House on July 12.

DPRK refers to North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Mr. Hodge further expressed that North Korea’s launch is a brazen violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, which unnecessarily raises tensions and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region.

“This action demonstrates that the DPRK continues to prioritize its unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs over the well-being of its people. We urge all countries to condemn these violations and call on the DPRK to come to the table for serious negotiations,” emphasized the spokesperson.

He also emphasized that while “The door has not closed on diplomacy,” North Korean officials must immediately cease their destabilizing actions and choose diplomatic engagement.

“The United States will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland and our allies in the Republic of Korea and Japan,” added Mr. Hodge.

The Missile Test

The White House’s statement comes in response to North Korea’s recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test, which took place just hours earlier. This test follows the country’s threat of “shocking” consequences in response to what it deemed provocative U.S. reconnaissance activity near its territory.

Experts believe that North Korea launched its road-mobile, developmental Hwasong-18 ICBM, which is more difficult to detect and intercept compared to its liquid-fuel ICBMs. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has previously described the Hwasong-18 as the most potent weapon in his nuclear arsenal.

According to assessments from South Korea and Japan, the missile was launched from North Korea’s capital region and traveled approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) at a maximum altitude of 6,000 kilometers (3,740 miles) before impacting in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. Observers note that the missile was launched at a steep angle, likely in an attempt to circumvent neighboring countries.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno revealed that the missile flew for 74 minutes, marking the longest travel duration ever recorded for a North Korean weapon. The previous record of 71 minutes was set last year during a test flight of the Hwasong-17 ICBM powered by liquid propellant.

The military of South Korea described the launch as a provocation and urged North Korea to refrain from further launches. Mr. Matsuno criticized North Korea’s repeated missile launches as a threat to the peace, security, and even the international community.

In a trilateral phone call, the chief nuclear envoys of South Korea, Japan, and the United States agreed to deal sternly with North Korean provocations.