SEOUL, South Korea - A North Korean foreign ministry official defended
North Korea's missile tests as a matter of national sovereignty, a Japanese TV report aired in
South Korea said.
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The footage, by the Japanese TBS network and broadcast by South Korea's YTN, showed Ri Pyong Dok, a researcher on Japanese affairs at the North's Foreign Ministry, saying no one can interfere in Pyongyang's missile program.

"The missile launch is an issue that is entirely within our sovereignty. No one has the right to dispute about it," he said. "On the missile launch, we are not bound by any agreement."

The report did not name the official or provide further details.

The confirmation would be the first by the North, which is believed to have launched at least six missiles, including a long-range Taepodong 2, early Wednesday morning. The long-range missile failed shortly after launch, and the others fell into the Sea of Japan, according to U.S. officials.

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XTC Reviewed by XTC on . N. Korea. Serious Issue at hand SEOUL, South Korea - A North Korean foreign ministry official defended North Korea's missile tests as a matter of national sovereignty, a Japanese TV report aired in South Korea said. ADVERTISEMENT The footage, by the Japanese TBS network and broadcast by South Korea's YTN, showed Ri Pyong Dok, a researcher on Japanese affairs at the North's Foreign Ministry, saying no one can interfere in Pyongyang's missile program. "The missile launch is an issue that is entirely within our Rating: 5