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Kerry says U.S. "closely monitoring" situation after DPRK missile launch

Xinhua, March 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has called on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to refrain from actions that could raise tensions on the Korean Peninsula following Pyongyang's new missile launch.

"We call again on North Korea to refrain from actions that further raise tensions in the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its international commitments and obligations," Kerry said in a statement on Thursday.

He said that the United States is closely monitoring the situation on the peninsula.

The DPRK fired a medium-range ballistic missile into its eastern waters earlier on Thursday, Yonhap news agency reported.

The missile was fired from a mobile launcher and flew about 800 km before falling into the sea. It is believed to have been a Rodong ballistic missile given the flying distance.

"The United States remains steadfast in its commitments to the defense of its allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan," Kerry said, "We will continue to coordinate closely with our allies and partners in the region."

The missile launch was seen as a show of force and anger at the ongoing joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States and the tougher-than-ever sanctions on the DPRK.

South Korea and the United States kicked off their largest-ever annual war games on March 7, which are scheduled to run through April 30, involving some 17,000 U.S. troops and about 300,000 South Korean soldiers. Endi