11 August
A senior North Korean diplomat has defended his country's recent missile launches, saying even US President Donald Trump recognizes North Korea's right to self-defense.
Kwon Jong Gun, Director-General of the foreign ministry's department of American affairs, released a statement on Sunday through North Korea's state-run media agency. Kwon said "even the US president made a remark which in effect recognizes the self-defensive rights of a sovereign state." He added that Trump views the launches as something "which a lot of countries do."
The diplomat also criticized South Korea for urging the North to halt its tests.
Kwon called the request "nonsense" and said inter-Korean talks will be difficult. He added the North will only hold dialogue with the United States. Meanwhile, Trump has been playing down the recent launches, despite the fact they are seen as UN Security Council resolutions violations. The US president has suggested the tests do not run counter to an agreement he reached with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at their summit.
On Saturday, Trump expressed hope for an early resumption of dialogue with North Korea. He said he received a letter from Kim offering "a small apology." He said Kim claimed the tests would stop once US-South Korea military drills end.—NHK
