(LEAD) N. Korea says its recent SLBM test-launch not targeting U.S.

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By Choi Soo-hyang

SEOUL, Oct. 21 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said Thursday its recent test-firing of a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) was not targeted toward the United States, adding there is no need for Washington to "worry or agonize" over it.

A spokesperson for the North's foreign ministry expressed concerns over "nonsensical" reactions from the U.S. and the U.N. Security Council over its "rightful exercise of right to defense" in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Two days earlier, North Korea fired an SLBM from the vicinity of Sinpo, where its main submarine shipyard is located. It marked the North's eighth known major missile test this year.

"If they don't take issues with our rightful exercise of sovereignty, there will never be an incident raising tensions on the Korean Peninsula, but if the U.S. and its followers make the wrong choice, it could serve as a catalyst for more grave and serious consequences," the North warned in the statement.

The North said the U.S.' criticism against its weapons development is clearly a "double standard" that only raises suspicion over the authenticity of the claim that it does not harbor hostility toward Pyongyang.

Calling the U.N. Security Council's emergency meeting on the SLBM test as "provocative," the spokesperson said the U.S. and South Korea are not its "arch-enemy."

"As our test-launch was planned purely for national defense, not in consideration of or targeting the U.S., there is no need for it to worry or agonize," added the spokesperson, whose name was not revealed.

The U.S. has condemned North Korea's recent missile tests but reaffirmed that it remains committed to engaging with Pyongyang in dialogue.

"We've stated our openness to having those discussions with North Korea for months now," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday.

scaaet@yna.co.kr
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