The Democratic People's Republic of Korea said on Tuesday in Pretoria that last week's missile launches were part of efforts to protect itself against outside threats and increase its self-defense capabilities.

Visiting DPRK Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hyong-jun made the statement at a press conference following talks with his South African counterpart Aziz Pahad in Pretoria.

Kim Hyong-jun defended his country's legitimate right to missile test, saying that the latest launches were part of a routine military exercise. The vice minister also attacked the United States for its military exercise with Japan in waters off the Korea Peninsula.

Kim said the DPRK would stop launching missiles if the United States halted its military exercises which he described as being disruptive to peace on the Korea Peninsula.

"The United States is now conducting a military exercise in the waters off the Korea Peninsula. This military exercise is a serous violation of the sovereignty, equality and non-interference of internal affairs," he added.

The topic of DPRK's recent missile tests formed part of the discussions between the two ministers in the South African capital.

The DPRK raised international alarm when it launched seven missiles, including a long-range missile.

Last Wednesday, Japan drafted a United Nations Security Council resolution against the move.

The resolution expressed concern that the missile tests violated DPRK's pledge to maintain a moratorium on missile launching and endangered civil aviation and shipping, through its failure to provide advance notice to airmen and mariners.

However, the DPRK said that it was not a signatory to the Missile Technology Control Regime.

The DPRK maintains that the moratorium on long-range missile tests which the DPRK agreed with the United States in 1999, was valid only while DPRK-U.S. dialogue was taking place.

Pahad said that South Africa and the DPRK had discussed a wide range of issues, including the recent missile launches.

South Africa called on the DPRK to stop the missile tests and to return to the six-party talks unconditionally.

Source: Xinhua