North Korea does not feel bound by a moratorium on missile testing and has the right to conduct such tests in the interests of self-defence, the KCNA news agency quoted a foreign ministry spokesman as saying today.
A right-wing demonstrator raises his fists as he shouts anti-North Korea slogans in front of the headquarters of the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan
Pyongyang test-fired at least seven missiles yesterday, including its long-range Taepodong-2 missile.
North Korea agreed with Washington in September 1999 to suspend the testing and export of its long-range missiles while engaged in talks on improving ties. Washington responded by lifting some trade barriers against Pyongyang.
Contacts with the current US administration have soured considerably since, however, and so-called six-party talks on ending its nuclear weapons programme are stalled.
"The DPRK had already clarified in March 2005 that its moratorium on the missile test-fire lost its validity," the spokesman said.
DPRK is for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The spokesman said the country's test-launch of missiles yesterday had nothing to do with its participation in the six-party talks and added that Pyongyang remained committed to a nuclear-free peninsula.
The spokesman also said its Korean People's Army will fire more missiles.
"The KPA will go on with missile launch exercises as part of its efforts to bolster deterrent for self-defence in the future, too," KCNA reported the spokesman as saying.
China and Russia held firm in their opposition to a Japanese-drafted UN resolution that would call for sanctions on North Korea for its barrage of missile tests, including a long-range weapon, diplomats said.
Consequently the 15-member UN Security Council may have to resort to a statement that is weaker than a resolution and does not impose any action.
The United States and Britain, which co-sponsored the Japanese draft, have veto power on the council along with France, Russia and China. A resolution needs nine votes and no veto whereas a statement needs the approval of all 15 members.
Negotiations late yesterday resulted in a stalemate.
Japan, a possible target of the North Korean missiles, circulated a draft resolution that condemned the launches and would bar any nation from transferring funds, material and technology for North Korea's missile or nuclear programme.
The document also demands North Korea halt "the development, testing, deployment and proliferation of ballistic missiles," return to talks on its nuclear programme and stop all work on nuclear-related activities.
It also deplores North Korea's role as the "world's leading proliferator of ballistic missiles and related technology".