US calls on North Korea to refrain from 'unlawful' acts

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The United States condemns North Korea’s latest ballistic missile launches and calls on it to desist from such actions, the Indo-Pacific Command (PACOM) said Wednesday.

"The United States condemns these actions and calls on the DPRK to refrain from further unlawful and destabilizing acts," it said in a statement, referring to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the country’s official name.

The statement came right after North Korea fired several ballistic missiles toward the East Sea (Sea of Japan), according to South Korea’s military.

The launch marked Pyongyang's first ballistic missile test since March, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The missiles flew up to 800 kilometers (497 miles) before landing in the sea.

PACOM said the event does not pose an "immediate threat" to US personnel or territory, or to its allies.

The US will continue to monitor the situation, it said, adding "the US commitments to the defense of the ROK (Republic of Korea) and Japan remain ironclad."