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The U.S. State Department said it would pay commensurate consequences for North Korea's missile launch, saying it was viewed as an action to attract attention. He also said he would still stick to a diplomatic solution.
Correspondent Kim Jong-won from New York.
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US Secretary of State Tony Blincoln said in an interview with a broadcaster that he viewed the recent missile launch by North Korea as an 'action to attract attention'.
North Korea has used this method in the past and will continue to do so in the future.
He added that he had already stated that he was ready to meet with North Korea without preconditions for denuclearization several months ago, and that he had also made it clear that he had no hostile intentions toward North Korea.
However, it said that North Korea fired a missile without responding to the US proposal, a dangerous action in violation of the entire UN Security Council resolution.
"We will ensure that the United States and its allies are adequately protected," said Blincoln, adding that he is focused on showing North Korea that the consequences of their actions will follow.
The Pentagon said it would respond thoroughly to provocations from its allies and North Korea.
[John Kirby / U.S. Department of Defense Spokesperson: Our military has a solid alliance with the Republic of Korea, and we will continue to develop the Korea-U.S. alliance more firmly. In the event of a conflict on the Korean Peninsula, we will thoroughly prepare to respond to provocations.]
Today (14th) Secretary Blincoln's remarks once again emphasized that the United States will not be hostile to North Korea, which continues to demonstrate armed forces, but seems to leave the possibility of further measures against North Korea.