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| The North called the U.S. move an "evident provocation and a gangster-like logic," and accused Washington of "intentionally escalating the situation." (File photo by=Anadolu Agency) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] SEOUL: North Korea warned Friday it will have to take a "stronger and certain reaction" after the United States implemented new sanctions over the North's recent missile launches.
In a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency, a spokesperson for the North's foreign ministry said the recent launch of what it claims to be a hypersonic missile was an "exercise of right to self-defense." "If the U.S. adopts such a confrontational stance, the DPRK will be forced to take stronger and certain reaction to it," the statement said. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. On Wednesday, the Biden administration slapped sanctions on six North Koreans involved in the reclusive regime's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.
The move came after the North launched what it claims to be a newly developed hypersonic missile Tuesday, the second such test in less than a week. The North called the U.S. move an "evident provocation and a gangster-like logic," and accused Washington of "intentionally escalating the situation." South Korea's Ministry of Unification handling inter-Korean affairs reiterated its call for the North to return to dialogue. He added, "The government will continue to closely watch related moves, including additional responses from North Korea."
