PHL joins international condemnation of planned North Korea rocket launch

North Korea flag (ShutterStock photo)

MANILA—The Philippines joined on Friday international demand for North Korea to refrain from conducting a rocket launch, calling it a “provocation” and a violation of existing United Nations resolutions.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it is “deeply concerned about the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) notification that it intends to conduct a rocket launch as this will violate numerous UN Security Council Resolutions.”

“The Philippines strongly urges the DPRK to desist from such provocative acts that threaten the peace and stability of the region and the rest of the world,” the DFA said, referring to North Korea’s official name.

Pyongyang this week announced it was planning to launch a satellite, triggering fears that is a cover to test banned missile technology.

Korean media reported that the activity was seen at the isolated state’s launch station off its western coast.

Instability in the Korean Peninsula has long worried the Philippines due to the large presence of Filipino workers there, numbering to at least 43,000.

An escalation of conflict is also seen to affect at least 200,000 Filipinos in neighboring Japan, according to the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.

Philippine embassies and consulates general are required to have contingency plans for Filipinos in their host countries in the event of emergency situations such as disaster, war or civil unrest.

It is regularly reviewed, updated and provides options for evacuation or repatriation if the need arises.