US says no hostile intent, calls on Pyongyang to refrain from provocations

The United States called on North Korea to refrain from "provocative" and "destabilizing" actions and return to dialogue, after Pyongyang said it had tested an underwater nuclear weapons system under development.

Triều Tiên đạt tiến bộ về vũ khí siêu thanh, EU cảnh báo 'con đường duy nhất' đến hòa bình

North Korea test-fired a solid-fuel medium-range ballistic missile with a hypersonic warhead on January 14. (Source: KCNA)

Responding to a question from Yonhap News Agency on January 19, a US State Department spokesman said: “We urge North Korea to refrain from further provocative and destabilizing actions and return to diplomacy… In particular, we encourage North Korea to engage in substantive discussions on identifying ways to manage military risks and create lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula,” while reiterating that the US has no hostile intentions toward North Korea.

Commenting on North Korea's weapons test, White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said the US is in contact with South Korea.

Earlier on the same day (January 19), the US emphasized its security commitment to South Korea and Japan after North Korea announced it had tested a nuclear weapons system in waters off its eastern coast.

North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted the North's Defense Ministry as saying that the country had conducted an "important" test of the Haeil-5-23 system, denouncing this week's naval exercises between South Korea, the US and Japan as "reckless hysterical moves of confrontation".

A Pentagon spokesman said: “We have been very clear about the threat posed by North Korea’s military programs, as well as our commitment to the defense of South Korea and Japan and to maintaining peace and stability in the region… We will continue to work with the governments of South Korea and Japan to address threats from North Korea.”

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