28 Nov 2017 22:12

N. Korea's alleged missile launch could be expression of displeasure with U.S. stance - Kosachyov

MOSCOW. Nov 28 (Interfax) - North Korea's missile launch, if it took place, could be a demonstration of disappointment with the stance of the United States and its allies in the region, Federation Council Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Konstantin Kosachyov said.

"It is a fact that North Korea has been exercising restraint and refraining from provoking the global community over the past two months. Pyongyang probably expected reciprocal restraint from the West both in terms of evaluations and actions. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, and today's launch is possibly, I repeat, possibly, a demonstration of disappointment in the lack of flexibility in the stance of the U.S. and its allies in the region," Kosachyov told Interfax on Tuesday, commenting on reports that North Korea had launched a ballistic missile. "Nothing is clear yet, we need to wait for confirmation," he said.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Tuesday that North Korea had launched a ballistic missile.

According to tentative information, the launch was conducted in eastern direction from a range in North Korea's South Pyongan Province.

South Korean military officials and the United States are analyzing the details of the launch.