DFA condemns North Korea’s latest ballistic missile launch

DFA Building. (Photo: Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday condemned North Korea’s latest ballistic missile launch, saying it provokes tensions in the region.

“The Philippines condemns the DPRK’s (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) latest ballistic missile launch, which provokes tensions and undermines economic progress, peace, and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the lndo-Pacific region,” the DFA said.

The Philippines has repeatedly called on the DPRK to comply with its international obligations and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and to commit to constructive and peaceful dialogue with South Korea.

The Philippines will consistently support the call for a “complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the DPRK”, the DFA said.

Local reports said North Korea fired two ballistic missiles on Monday, with the second one having possibly blown up during an irregular flight.

The launch comes a day after North Korea denounced the joint military drills by South Korea, Japan, and the United States this month, calling the three nations’ relations an “Asian version of NATO.”