MOSCOW, November 29. /TASS/. Russia condemns North Korea’s new missile launch, viewing this as Pyongyang’s provocative step, and appeals for calm to prevent the worst-case scenario on the Korean Peninsula, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday
"No doubt, another missile launch is a provocative step, which sparks a further rise in tensions, and which moves us away from beginning to settle the crisis. We condemn this launch and hope that all the respective sides will manage to keep calm, which is very necessary to prevent the worst-case scenario on the Korean Peninsula," Peskov said.
- Moscow condemns North Korea’s new missile launch — Kremlin
- Russia condemns North Korea's missile test — lawmaker
- North Korea successfully tests Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile
- North Korea launches ballistic missile
- Russian diplomat warns 'apocalyptic scenario' on Korean Peninsula possible
Speaking whether Pyongyang is considering the roadmap drawn up by Moscow and Beijing on solving the North Korean nuclear issue, Peskov noted that "there is no reason for any significant optimism now."
North Korea carried out its new missile test early on Wednesday after a 75-day pause. According to Japan’s Defense Ministry, the missile flew some 1,000 km and fell 250 km from the northern Aomori Prefecture in the exclusive economic zone. The missile reached the height of 4,000 km. Tokyo says this was an intercontinental ballistic missile.
According to South Korea’s Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff, the launch was carried out from the South Pyongan Province toward the Sea of Japan. The missile flew eastward, covering the distance of 960 km, at the altitude of up to 4,500 km.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high as North Korea actively develops its nuclear and missile programs, while the US and its allies in the region carry out their military maneuvers.
In July, North Korea conducted two ballistic missile tests, which triggered a sharp response from the United States, Japan and South Korea. On August 29 and September 15, North Korea fired ballistic missiles, which flew over Japan’s Hokkaido Island and plunged into the Pacific Ocean. On September 3, Pyongyang announced a successful hydrogen bomb test. The UN Security Council stepped up sanctions against North Korea.
Moscow has stressed many times that it is committed to all UN Security Council’s resolutions and insisted that Pyongyang should fully comply with them. The Russian leadership has also warned that any military scenario of solving the North Korean issue may trigger a disaster and called for finding a solution at the negotiating table. In July, Moscow and Beijing came up with an initiative aimed at resuming the six-party talks on the North Korean nuclear issue. The plan provides for the double freeze of North Korea’s missile and nuclear tests and US-South Korea military drills.