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MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines denounced on Wednesday night the missile tests conducted by North Korea.
“The Philippines condemns the test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on 18 February 2023 by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) as well as the other ballistic missile tests. These tests provoke tension and undermine peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula, in the region, and the world,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The Philippine government renewed its call to North Korea to have a peaceful dialogue with South Korea instead.
“The Philippines reiterates its call for the DPRK to immediately put a stop to these missile tests, comply with UNSC (United Nations Security Council) resolutions, and resort to diplomacy and peaceful dialogue with the Republic of Korea (ROK),” the DFA said.
North Korea has confirmed that it tested an ICBM four days ago in a “sudden launching drill” seeking to confirm the weapons’ reliability. The missile landed in the sea off Japan’s west coast.
Pyongyang earlier warned of a strong response to the upcoming military drills of South Korea and the United States.