Russia calls for restraint after DPRK's new missile launch

MOSCOW, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Foreign Ministry urged the United States, its allies and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Wednesday to refrain from steps that might aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

"It is more important than ever for all parties involved not to provoke each other but to exercise restraint and not allow any new steps leading to further escalation of tension," it said in a statement.

The DPRK announced earlier in the day that it had successfully test-fired a newly developed "Hwasong-15" Intercontinental Ballistic Missile capable of striking the entire U.S. mainland.

The new missile launch in violation of relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council raised serious concerns, the Russian statement said.

The ministry urged the DPRK to stop the nuclear missile tests, and asked the United States and South Korea to stop military exercises to be held at the beginning of December, which will only inflame an already explosive situation.

Russia's position on the Korean Peninsula issue remains unchanged, said the statement, adding that an effective search for a long-term and mutually acceptable solution is only possible through persistent and energetic political and diplomatic work.

Moscow urged all parties to immediately start implementing a joint Russia-China "roadmap" for the settlement of the Korean Peninsula crisis.

"We do not see any reasonable alternative to this," the statement said.

China and Russia suggest a dual-track approach of advancing denuclearization while at the same time establishing a peace mechanism.

Meanwhile, they demand that the DPRK suspend its nuclear and missile activities, and the United States and South Korean suspend military exercises. Enditem