EU urges DPRK to give up possible missile test

The European Union (EU) on Wednesday urged the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to give up its possible missile test.

"The European Union understands that a test launch of a Taepodong-2 missile by the DPRK may be imminent," and such a test "would be deeply regrettable," said an EU statement issued by Austria, which holds the rotating EU presidency.

"The European Union urges the DPRK to refrain from such a launch", said the statement, noting the launch would "add considerable tension to an already complex regional situation" and "breach the long-standing moratorium on long-range missile launches."

Han Song Ryol, deputy chief of the DPRK mission to the United Nations, said earlier that Pyongyang was seeking to resolve the potential missile test concerns through negotiations.

Han also insisted that the DPRK had the right to develop, deploy, test-fire and export missiles.

Recent media reports in Japan and South Korea said there was evidence that the DPRK was preparing to test a Taepodong-2 long-range missile.

Source: Xinhua