US says no hostile intent, calls on Pyongyang to refrain from provocations

The United States has called on North Korea to refrain from "provocative" and "destabilizing" actions and return to dialogue, after Pyongyang said it had tested an underwater nuclear weapons system under development.

North Korea test-fired a solid-fuel medium-range ballistic missile with a hypersonic warhead on January 14. (Source: KCNA)

Responding to a question from Yonhap News Agency on January 19, a US State Department spokesperson said: “We call on North Korea to refrain from further provocative and destabilizing actions and return to diplomacy… In particular, we encourage North Korea to engage in substantive discussions on identifying ways to manage military risks and create lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula,” while reiterating that the US has no hostile intentions toward North Korea.

Commenting on North Korea's weapons test, White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said the US is in contact with South Korea.

Earlier on the same day (January 19), the US emphasized its security commitment to South Korea and Japan after North Korea announced it had tested a nuclear weapons system in waters off its eastern coast.

The North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted the North Korean Defense Ministry as saying that the country had conducted a "crucial" test of the Haeil-5-23 system, denouncing this week's naval drills between South Korea, the US and Japan as "reckless confrontational hysteria".

“We have been very clear about the threat posed by North Korea’s military programs, as well as our commitment to the defense of South Korea and Japan and to maintaining peace and stability in the region,” a Pentagon spokesman said. “We will continue to work with the governments of South Korea and Japan to address the threats posed by North Korea.”

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