The North Korean launch of two Nodong medium-range ballistic missiles "represent a troubling and provocative escalation", the United States has said.
"Coming on the heels of the DPRK's March 3 and February 27 Scud launches, these March 26 launches of medium-range Nodong ballistic missiles represent a troubling and provocative escalation that the United States takes very seriously," State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf said yesterday.
North Korea had launched two Nodong medium-range ballistic missiles from near its west coast on March 26 (local time). Both flew in an easterly direction over North Korea's land mass and impacted in the Sea of Japan, according to US government information.
"It does not appear that North Korea issued any maritime notifications providing warning of the launches.
We are closely monitoring the situation on the Korean Peninsula," Harf added.
Launches using ballistic missile technology are a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions 1718, 1874, and 2094, she said.
Resolutions 1718 and 1874 require North Korea to suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile program and to re-establish a moratorium on missile launches.
Resolutions 1874 and 2094 further require the DPRK to stop conducting any launches using ballistic missile technology.
"We are closely coordinating with our allies and partners, including in the UN Security Council, to take the appropriate measures in response to this latest provocation and to address the threat to global security posed by the DPRK's nuclear and ballistic missile programs," Harf said.
"We urge North Korea to exercise restraint and refrain from further threatening actions," she said.
