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AlJazeera (12 December 2019)

Missiles tests seen as a way for North Korea to increase pressure on the US with nuclear talks stalled.

The United States warned North Korea on Wednesday that its "deeply counterproductive" ballistic missile tests risk closing the door on prospects for negotiating peace, but said it is "prepared to be flexible" and take concrete, parallel steps with Pyongyang towards an agreement.

US Ambassador Kelly Craft delivered the message at a Security Council meeting less than three weeks before North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's end-of-December deadline for the Trump administration to come up with new proposals to revive nuclear diplomacy.

"Missile and nuclear testing will not bring the DPRK greater security," Craft said, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"We trust that the DPRK will turn away from further hostility and threats, and instead make a bold decision to engage with us," she said.

Negotiations faltered after the US rejected North Korean demands for broad sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities during the second summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump in February.

Read more at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/korea-missile-tests-deeply-counterproductive-191212004153897.html