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DPRK officially confirms missile launches

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-07-23 20:23

PYONGYANG: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) confirmed for the first time that it test-fired missiles recently, the official KCNA news agency said Thursday, citing a Foreign Ministry's spokesman.

The unnamed spokesman said the DPRK test-launched missiles recently as part of the military drills.

Related readings:  US calls on DPRK to return to denuclearization process  Clinton: DPRK doesn't deserve attention  SKorean: US-DPRK interaction unlikely at ARF  Top DPRK leader inspects army navy unit  Chinese experts: New move on DPRK 'proper, necessary'

"The DPRK has taken necessary measures to protect the nation's sovereignty and right to existence to cope with the US hostile policy and nuclear threat, not to attract anyone's attention," said the spokesman.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the DPRK should not receive the attention it is seeking through behavior like missile launches and likened Pyongyang's behavior to that of unruly children during her recent trip to India.

Pyongyang tested a nuclear device in May and fired several ballistic missiles earlier this month in defiance of a United Nations resolution.

The DPRK confirmed it tested a nuclear device, but did not confirm missile launches until now.