Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday (February 3) he would work with the United States and others to “strongly demand” that North Korea refrain from a planned satellite launch suspected to be a missile test, calling it a provocative move that threatens the nation’s security.
“This has been a meaning actually for a ballistic missile test. In addition to the nuclear tests, North Korea testing these ballistic missiles is an obvious violation of Security Council decisions. In terms of important security decisions for our country, it’s a provocative act,” Abe said in response to the first question in parliament.
“In addition to working closely with other connected parties, we will strongly demand North Korea to show self-control to prevent such events,” he added.
North Korea told U.N. agencies on Tuesday (February 2) it planned to launch a satellite as early as next week, a move that could advance the country’s long-range missile technology after its fourth nuclear test on January 6. (Reuters)
