U.S. calls DPRK's failed missile test as "provocative act" violating UN resolutions

The United Sates on Friday condemned the failed missile launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) as a "provocative act" that violated UN Security Council resolutions.

The DPRK on Friday attempted to launch what is believed to be a Musudan mobile ballistic missile, but the launch appeared to have failed, the government of the Republic of Korea said.

"As we've done before, the United States strongly condemns this provocative act by the North Korean government. It is in violation of U.N. Security Council Resolutions that explicitly prohibit North Korea's use of ballistic missile technology," White House spokesman Josh Earnest told a regular news briefing.

The spokesman said the U.S. "will continue to monitor and assess the situation in close coordination with our regional allies and partners." He also said that the U.S. is "strongly committed" to the defense of its allies, particularly its allies in Asia.

The Musudan missile is believed to have been capable of striking parts of the U.S. territory such as Guam and the outer reaches of Alaska.

While commenting on the threat to the U.S. security by DPRK missiles, Earnest said the U.S. has taken steps to bolster its missile defense capabilities in the region, including the deployment of some naval assets in the region and some assets in Alaska to ensure that the U.S. homeland remains safe.

He also vowed that the U.S. will continue to work with the international community including China "to make clear that North Korea faces the prospect of even further isolation as a result of their provocative acts."

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution last month to imposes tough sanctions on the DPRK over its nuclear and missile programs following its nuclear test in January and satellite launch in February.

Responding to a question about the effectiveness of the latest sanctions on the DPRK, Earnest said that "it's too early to assess the complete impact of the sanctions."

China on Friday urged all parties to avoid any action that might worsen tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The UN Security Council resolution was clear about the DPRK missile issue, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a regular news briefing in response to the latest DPRK missile test. He called on all parties to work to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Endit