Biden condemns missile tests, North Korea: violation of right to self-defense is tantamount to provocation

North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported today that senior domestic officials said U.S. President Joe Biden‘s condemnation of North Korea’s test firing of two missiles was a “violation” and a “provocation” of North Korea’s right to self-defense.

Lee Byung-chul said, “These remarks by the US president are a blatant violation and provocation of our right to self-defense. I think the new U.S. administration is clearly starting on the wrong foot.”

North Korea said the 25th launch was a test of a new “tactically guided launcher” with a solid rocket motor; it was the first specific provocation by North Korea since Biden’s inauguration.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga called the two weapons launched from North Korea’s east coast ballistic missiles; however, North Korea is prohibited from developing such weapons under a UN Security Council resolution.