Japan Protests against Launch of Missiles by North Korea

July 5, 2006

On July 5, before 10:00 a.m. (Japan time), the Government of Japan sent the following protest to the North Korean side through the Japanese Embassy in Beijing concerning the launch of missiles by North Korea earlier on the same day. The gist of the protest was as follows:
The fact that North Korea went ahead with the launch of missiles despite advance warning by the countries concerned including Japan is a matter of grave concern from the viewpoint of the security of Japan, the peace and stability of the international community, and furthermore the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The recent launch is directly related to the security of Japan and is also a violation of the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration. Japan lodges a strong protest and expresses its objection to North Korea.
To the above protest, the North Korean side responded that they would refer the matters back to their government.

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