PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia expressed deep concern over the reported launch of weapons-grade projectile by North Korea on Wednesday into waters in close proximity to Japan.
The Foreign Ministry said this development was counter-productive to North Korea's confidence-building measures and the overall security of the Korean Peninsula.
"As a peace loving nation, Malaysia hopes for the resumption of the dialogues, which contribute to reconciliation efforts," it said a statement today.
Reuters reported that North Korea stated that it had successfully test-fired a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from the sea to contain external threats and bolster self-defence, ahead of fresh nuclear talks with the United States.
The launch on Wednesday was said to be the most provocative by North Korea since it resumed dialogue with the United States in 2018.
It is also a reminder by Pyongyang of the weapons capability it has been aggressively developing, including intercontinental ballistic missiles, analysts said.
The new type of SLBM, called Pukguksong-3, was “fired in vertical mode” in the waters off the eastern city of Wonsan, the Koran Central News Agency said, confirming an assessment by South Korea’s military on Wednesday that the missile was launched on a lofted trajectory.
A US State Department spokeswoman called on Pyongyang to “refrain from provocations” and to remain committed to nuclear negotiations.
South Korea expressed strong concern and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned the launch, saying it was a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
North Korea has rejected United Nation’s Security Council resolution that bans Pyongyang from using ballistic missile technology, saying they were an infringement of its right to self-defence.
Talks aimed at dismantling North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes have been stalled since a second summit between North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump in Vietnam in February broke down in disagreement over nuclear disarmament.
North Korea was reported to have fired the missile hours after announcing it would resume talks with the United States by holding working-level negotiations on Oct 5.