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| A photo released by North Korea last year shows what it says was its first test of a hypersonic missile. (Photo from Bangkok Post/KCNA) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] WASHINGTON: The United States is working with allies and partners to ensure that North Korea faces consequences for its recent missile tests, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday.
Blinken also noted the North may continue to launch missiles as part of efforts to get more attention. "I think some of this is the North Korea trying to get trying to get attention. It's done that in the past. They'll probably continue to do that," the top U.S. diplomat said in an interview with MSNBC, referring to recent North Korean missile tests. "But we are very focused with allies and partners in making sure that they and we are properly defended, and that there are repercussions, consequences for these actions by North Korea," he added. North Korea launched what it claims to be a newly developed hypersonic missile on Tuesday (Seoul time), the second such test in less than a week. The U.S. said the North has launched six missiles since September.
Blinken noted the U.S. has offered to meet with North Koreans at any time, anywhere and without any preconditions. The U.S. on Wednesday imposed sanctions on six North Koreans based in Russia and China, along with one Russian national and a Russian company, for illegally procuring materials for the North's missile programs.
