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US, Japan Criticize 'Provocative' North Korea Missile Launch

Carla Babb

   PENTAGON / SEOUL - The U.S. and Japan are calling the recent North
   Korean missile launch "unnecessarily provocative" just days ahead of
   working-level nuclear talks with the United States.

   North Korea tested a ballistic missile Wednesday that was designed to
   be launched from a submarine -- an important advancement in Pyongyang's
   weapons program.

   "This morning, the Secretary had a call with Japanese Minister of
   Defense (Taro) Kono where they discussed North Korea. They both agreed
   that the North Korea tests are unnecessarily provocative and do not set
   the stage for diplomacy and that North Korea should cease these tests,"
   chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman told reporters at a briefing
   Thursday.

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