Hong Kong. January 11. INTERFAX - The National Security Council of the Republic of Korea expressed "deep regret" over the DPRK's launch of a suspected ballistic missile on Tuesday and called on Pyongyang to return to dialogue.
"The permanent members of the National Security Council analyzed North Korea's intentions to conduct successive missile test launches since the beginning of the year and expressed deep regret over the latest launch, which took place at a time when a stable political situation is important," the presidential administration said in a statement.
The meeting participants also "urged North Korea to come forward with a proposal to resume dialogue and cooperation as soon as possible in accordance with the expectations of the international community regarding peace and stability on the Korean peninsula."
They agreed that South Korea and the United States will work closely to conduct a detailed analysis of the launched projectile and take the necessary measures to monitor the North's future actions.
Earlier it was reported that North Korea launched a supposedly ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected a launch from the interior of the DPRK at 7:27 a.m. (1:27 a.m. Moscow time).
According to the Yonhap news agency, citing an informed source, the missile was launched from Chagando Province, which borders China.
