The United States on Wednesday (Jan.5) condemned North Korea's firing of an unidentified projectile at sea, which according to the South Korean military could be a ballistic missile, calling on Pyongyang for talks.
Read also Which countries have diplomatic relations with North Korea?
"
This shot violates several UN Security Council resolutions and poses a threat to North Korea's neighbors and the international community
," said a spokesperson for the US State Department. "
We remain committed to a diplomatic approach towards North Korea and call on it to engage in dialogue
," he added.
According to the South Korean military, Pyongyang fired what is "
presumed to be a ballistic missile
" into the sea to the east of the peninsula (Sea of Japan, or East Sea as the Korean term calls it) towards 08:10 local time (23:10 GMT Tuesday).
"
The South Korean and American intelligence services are analyzing it carefully for more details
," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.
A " foolproof
"
commitment
The spokesperson for the US State Department said the US commitment to defend South Korea and Japan was "
rock-solid
." US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin have already scheduled remote talks with their Japanese counterparts on Thursday for routine security-related discussions. The new US Ambassador to Tokyo Rahm Emanuel is due to join the talks.
Democrat Joe Biden's administration has repeatedly said it is open to talks with North Korea.
Pyongyang has so far rejected these offers, accusing Washington of pursuing "
hostile
" policies.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has met three times with former Republican President Donald Trump, who bragged about preventing conflict but failed to reach a comprehensive deal to end North Korea's nuclear program.