PH gov’t criticizes anew North Korea’s missile launches

People watch a TV news program showing a file footage of a missile launched by North Korea, at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, June 8, 2017.  (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

The Philippine government on Thursday criticized again a series of missile launches by North Korea.

“The Philippines expresses grave concern on the DPRK’s (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) missile launches on 21 May 2017 and 29 May 2017 which were carried out in defiance of repeated warnings by the international community,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

International media on Thursday reported that North Korea had allegedly fired several land-to-ship missiles off its east coast.

READ: North Korea launches multiple missiles—Seoul

“The Philippines notes with alarm the increasing frequency of ballistic missile launches by DPRK,” DFA said.

It urged North Korea “to comply with its international obligations under relevant UNSC (United Nations Security Council) resolutions, and call for the recommencement of constructive dialogue to defuse tensions in the region.”

The Philippine government issued a couple of similar statements last month as North Korea attempts to build its own intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Some believe the country will use the ICBM against the United States while others say it is a nuclear deterrent.

READ: PH condemns latest North Korean missile launch

Last month, South Korea-based analyst Robert Kelly said the Philippines should be concerned of the possibility of North Korea’s missile launches flying near the country. JE/rga

READ: N. Korea missile flight path cause of concern for PH — Robert Kelly