MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) condemns the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) latest satellite launch, saying “it provokes tensions and undermines economic progress, peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region.”
In a statement, the DFA said that the Philippines is calling on the DPRK to comply with its international obligations under the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
The DFA also pushed for the commitment to constructive and peaceful dialogue with the Republic of Korea (ROK).
“The Philippines has consistently supported the call for a complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the DPRK,” the statement read.
(Courtesy of Department of Foreign Affairs)
Meanwhile, South Korea denounced the failed satellite launch, calling it a “violation of UN Security Council resolutions banning any launch using ballistic missile technology.”
According to international reports, South Korea’s top envoy to the UN slammed the satellite launch, calling it “one of the most expensive fireworks” and that “DPRK’s scarce resources into the launch could have been better spent on feeding its people.”
Ambassador Hwang Joon-kook made the remarks during an open meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday to discuss the satellite launch, reports stated.
Earlier, Reuters reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un guided a firing drill of 600mm “super-large” multiple rocket launchers, hitting the target of an island located about 365 kms (227 miles) away as leader Kim oversaw the demonstration, North Korean state-media KCNA reported.
According to the report, Kim called the launch “a possible display for would-be buyers, including Russia.”
