U.S. ON N. KOREA'S RECENT MOVES

[Anchor Lead]

The United States has condemned North Korea’s ballistic missile launch but it’s still committed to engaging Pyongyang diplomatically. The U.N. Security Council has convened an emergency meeting.

[Pkg]

The U.S. State Department condemned North Korea’s ballistic missile launch. It said the move is in violation of UNSC resolution and a threat to the North’s neighbors and other nations. When Pyongyang fired a cruise missile 3 days ago, the State Department expressed its stance through a statement issued by the Indo-Pacific Command. But this time it released its own statement because the regime has violated the UNSC resolution. However, Washington maintains its diplomatic approach on Pyongyang.

[Soundbite] Ned Price(Spokesperson for U.S. State Department)

The White House reiterated the Indo-Pacific Command’s statement that the North’s missile firing does not pose an immediate threat. But it called Pyongyang’s weapons program illicit and destabilizing.

[Soundbite] Jen Psaki(White House Press Secretary)

The UN called the situation “concerning” but stressed diplomatic engagement.

[Soundbite] Stéphane Dujarric(U.N. Spokesperson)

The UNSC convened a closed-door emergency meeting to discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula. The international community is trying to figure out ways to deal with Pyongyang’s ever escalating provocations.