(MENAFN- Somali Land Sun) Pyongyang,- Somalilandsun-A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK gave the following answer to a question raised by KCNA on August 31 as regards the fact that the U.S. and its vassal forces rigged up a "presidential statement" of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemning the intermediate-range strategic ballistic rocket launching drill of the Strategic Force of the Korean People's Army (KPA):

On August 30, the UNSC released a "presidential statement" distorting the truth as if the DPRK's launch of intermediate-range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12 undermined regional peace and stability and caused grave security concerns around the world.

The DPRK categorically rejects the "presidential statement" of UNSC that flagrantly violated the right to self-defense of a sovereign state.

We had already warned the U.S. that we would be closely monitoring its conduct. The intermediate-range strategic ballistic rocket launching drill carried out by the Strategic Force of the KPA this time is only a curtain raiser to the resolute countermeasures to be taken against the U.S. as it responded to our warning by waging belligerentUljiFreedom Guardian joint military exercises.

The said drill is the first step taken by the KPA in its Pacific operation and a meaningful prelude to restraining Guam, the front-line base for invasion.

The U.S. had denied the DPRK's proactive measures to defuse the extreme tension and acted with imprudence. It is another lesson learned by the DPRK that only actions speak to the U.S., not polite words.

The revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK shall conduct many more of ballistic rocket launching drill targeting the Pacific to further modernize and increase the actual combat efficiency of its strategic force. -0-

MENAFN0309201701620000ID1095810529