North Korea's missile tests last month were mainly aimed at bolstering its self-defense posture against possible U.S. aggression, a pro-Pyongyang newspaper in Japan said Friday, refuting criticism that the launches were meant to draw the U.S. into direct talks.
"The views and analyses that consider the missile tests a 'brinkmanship policy' or a form of 'bluffing diplomacy' to draw the U.S. into the field of direct talks, and that question the launches' effectiveness, overlook the fundamental nature of DPRK-U.S. confrontations," the Chosun Sinbo said in a commentary.
DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's official name.
"The public view in the DPRK is that the missile tests were the extension of the North's resolve to protect the DPRK's peace to the last," said the paper, which often represents Pyongyang's official position.
On July 5, North Korea test-launched seven missiles into the East Sea, despite repeated international warnings not to do so.
The missile tests prompted the U.N. Security Council to adopt a resolution slapping weapons-related sanctions on the North.
The North said the missile tests were part of its military exercise, saying it has the right to test weapons at its own discretion.
Many analysts, however, said Pyongyang's missile tests were part of its efforts to force Washington to hold bilateral talks with it. The U.S. has said it can only meet the North on the sidelines of six-party nuclear talks.
The six-nation talks, involving the two Koreas, the U.S., China, Russia and Japan, have been stalled since November due to a North Korea boycott. The North has taken issue with U.S.-imposed sanctions on it for alleged counterfeiting, money-laundering and other financial irregularities.
"For the DPRK, the main theme is peace, and the missile launches had nothing to do with the six-party talks," the paper said.
Seoul, Aug. 25 (Yonhap News)
N.K. missile tests not designed to draw U.S. into direct talks: paper |
