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Trump has 'no problem' with North Korean missile tests

Friday, 02 August 2019 12:04 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 02 August 2019 12:08 AM ]

This screen grab image taken from North Korean broadcaster KCTV on August 1, 2019 shows a ballistic missile being launched from an unknown location in North Korea. (AFP photo)

US President Donald Trump has said he has "no problem" with a recent spate of short-range missile tests by North Korea, which is barred from ballistic missile tests under United Nations resolutions.

Trump dismissed the launches by Pyongyang as “very standard,” after North Korea carried out its third missile test in eight days on Friday when they fired two short-range missiles from its east coast which came down in the sea, according to a South Korean military statement.

"I have no problem, we'll see what happens but short range (missiles) are very standard," Trump told reporters as he left the White House for a rally in Ohio.

Last week, Trump said that short-range missile tests by North Korea did not pose any threat to the United States.

North Korea on July 25 test-fired two new short-range ballistic missiles in a first since leader Kim Jong-un's meeting with Trump at the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between the Koreas in June, where they agreed to resume stalled denuclearization talks.

Despite Pyongyang’s calling the tests a “solemn warning” to its southern neighbors, Trump said that “they’re short range missiles, and many people have those missiles.”

North Korea is reportedly furious over joint US-South Korean military exercises scheduled to start next week, and some independent observers say the launches are intended to increase pressure on Washington.

PressTV-North Korea warns US to drop ‘hostile policy’

North Korea urges the US to drop its “hostile policy” toward Pyongyang, on the eve of the anniversary of a landmark summit between the leaders of the two countries.

The US State Department has said Pyongyang should refrain from further provocations and that it looked forward to resuming working-level talks on North Korea's denuclearization.

As a precondition, North Korea says it would only come to the negotiating table when the joint US-South Korean military exercises end.

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