Ruling party strongly condemns N. Korea's missile launches

The People Power Party acting leader Rep. Yun Jae-ok, second from left, speaks at People Power Party Supreme Council in National Assembly, Seoul, Dec. 18. Yonhap

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Monday expressed "deep regrets" over North Korea's two consecutive missile launches, saying they represent a clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

On Monday, the North fired a long-range ballistic missile toward the East Sea in the regime's fifth intercontinental ballistic missile test. The firing came just hours after the North launched a short-range ballistic missile into the East Sea.

"North Korea's reckless provocations will only lead to its isolation from the international society and advance the end of its regime," the PPP's chief spokesperson, Yoon Hee-seok, said in a written statement, urging the regime to "look at the reality squarely."

"Our military will prepare for the worst-case scenario of the North's provocation through thorough training, ensuring a readiness posture to protect people's lives and safety. The best path to fostering sustainable peace is through strong power," he said.

The back-to-back launches came after South Korea and the United States held the second session of the Nuclear Consultative Group, a dialogue body designed to discuss nuclear and strategic planning issues, and agreed to conduct joint military exercises simulating nuclear attacks from the North. (Yonhap)