Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Permanent Mission to the United Nations
820 Second Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 972-3105/3106 Fax: (212) 972-3154
Press Release
No. 42
July 14, 1999 (Juche 88)
DPRK FM spokesman on position on DPRK’s satellite launch
Pyongyang, July 13 (KCNA)—The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK today
issued a statement denouncing the Japanese authorities for their recent persistent
anti-DPRK diatribe over the DPRK’s satellite launch for space research and
development and reclassifying its principled stand on the issue.
He said: During his recent Asian tour, the Japanese Prime Minister, Obuchi, asked for
exercising "influence" on the DPRK so that it may "give up missile
launch." At the June G-8 summit meeting he was busy with a soliciting diplomacy,
calling for "joint cooperation." Clear is the purpose of the anti-DPRK diatribe
of the Japanese authorities who are persistently describing the DPRK’s satellite
launch as "missile launch" and zealously creating an atmosphere of hostility
towards the DPRK.
They attempt to step up the militarization of Japan and overseas aggression in full
swing on the plea of the DPRK’s satellite launch. As far as the DPRK’s satellite
launch is concerned, it belongs to the legitimate right of an independent and sovereign
state and, moreover, scientific research into the peaceful development of the space is not
to be made by specified countries only.
If one things that we, who regard independence as our life and soul, will not do what
we should do because of somebody’s slander and "influence" upon us over the
issue pertaining to our sovereignty, it is the height of folly and a foolish daydream. We
will go straight guided by our faith and decision, no matter what others may say.
The Japanese authorities are well advised not to act rashly, mindful that they will get
nothing but a bitter frustration because of their persistent clumsy soliciting diplomacy
intended to achieve their aim with other’s help.
