Slovak Foreign Ministry Strongly Condemns North Korea’s Missile Test

Bratislava, August 29 (TASR) – The Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Ministry has strongly condemned the missile test that North Korea conducted on Tuesday, TASR learnt from the ministry’s press department on the same day.

“The Slovak Republic condemns North Korea’s activities, which have the potential to violate regional stability and international peace. At the same time, it calls on Pyongyang to take measures aimed at building trust and a constructive dialogue with the international community,” reads the ministry’s statement.

“The fact that the missile flew over the Japanese island of Hokkaido is not only a display of arrogance but also unnecessary gambling with the lives of the people of Japan. At the same time this act was an unprecedented, unacceptable and serious threat to the safety of air and maritime transport,” said the ministry.

In addition, the Slovak Foreign Affairs Ministry stated that ongoing missile tests and disrespect for international commitments on the part on the communist state are making it difficult to reduce tensions on the Korean peninsula.

The South Korean army reported earlier in the day that shortly before 6:00 a.m. local time North Korea launched a ballistic missile that subsequently passed over Japan. The missile flew 2,700 kilometres, reaching a maximum height of around 550 kilometres. The last time a missile launched by North Korea flew over Japan was in 2009.