Japan denounces North Korea’s missile launch
May 22, 2017
Tokyo- The Japanese government on Sunday strongly condemned North Korea's firing of a ballistic missile the same day and lodged a serious protest through its embassy in Beijing. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that the North Korean action is "a challenge to the international community." Abe said that he plans to take up North Korea's missile launches as one of main topics at a two-day summit of the Group of Seven major industrial nations in Italy from Friday, adding that he hopes the seven nations--Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States--will unite to issue a clear message to Pyongyang.
According to the South Korean military, the missile was launched from Pukchang in central North Korea around 4:59 p.m. (7:59 a.m. GMT).
After receiving information about the missile firing, Abe cut short his participation in the recording of a radio program shortly before 5:30 p.m. (8:30 a.m. GMT).
He returned to his office and convened a meeting of the National Security Council to gather and analyze related intelligence.
Later Abe told reporters, "North Korea fired a ballistic missile again, after it did so only a week ago, in defiance of strong warnings from the international community," criticizing the launch for undermining the global effort to find a peaceful solution.
Abe also underscored Japan's intention to cooperate with not only its G-7 partners but also China and Russia in applying pressure on North Korea.
Meanwhile, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a hurriedly arranged press conference that the missile launch by North Korea is a clear violation of its obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolutions. (Jiji Press)
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