News / Koreas

Japan’s PM Abe: Pyongyang’s missile test ‘absolutely unacceptable’

Saturday, 29 April 2017 10:29 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 29 April 2017 10:29 PM ]

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks during a press conference in London on April 29, 2017 to sum up his visits to Russia and the UK. (Photos by AFP)

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has described North Korea’s latest missile test as "absolutely unacceptable" and a “grave threat.”

Abe made the remark on Saturday, while calling on the international community to “show solidarity" and give a suitable response to Pyongyang’s actions.

"Despite strong warnings by the international community, North Korea today went through with its ballistic missile launch…. It is a grave threat to our country, this is absolutely not acceptable, [and] we strongly condemn such acts,” he told reporters during a press conference in London.

Abe went on to stress that North Korea’s missile tests were endangering the world’s peace and prosperity.

"For the denuclearization of North Korea, I hope China will play a constructive role in the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions. It is my high expectation that China will perform its role properly," he added.

Earlier in the day, North Korea test-launched a ballistic missile, which according to South Korean officials, exploded shortly after liftoff.

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The latest test came just hours after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned the UN Security Council over the "catastrophic consequences" if the global community failed to pressure the Pyongyang into halting its arms development program.

A woman walks past a television screen showing file footage of a North Korean missile launch, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, on April 5, 2017.

Pyongyang, already under a raft of sanctions for its missile and nuclear programs, says it is developing arms as deterrence against the US threat. North Korea has also said that it would not abandon its missile and nuclear programs unless the US ended its hostility toward Pyongyang.

The North, which has so far conducted five confirmed nuclear tests and numerous missile test-launches, is believed to be preparing for its sixth nuclear weapons test. While Pyongyang has not fired missiles against other countries, it has vowed strong action -- including missile attacks against South Korea -- if it was invaded by the South and the US.

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