Pyongyang, October 8 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the National Aviation Administration (NAA) of the DPRK issued the following press statement on October 8:

Recently, the 41st Session of ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Assembly adopted the so-called "resolution" describing the DPRK's missile launch as violation of "UN Security Council resolution" and the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

The NAA of the DPRK categorically condemns and rejects this as a political provocation of the U.S. and its vassal forces aimed to infringe upon the sovereignty of the DPRK.

The missile test launch by the DPRK is a regular and planned self-defensive step for defending the country's security and the regional peace from the U.S. direct military threats that have lasted for more than half a century. The test launch was conducted with full consideration in advance into the safety of civil aircraft in international flights, so it didn't pose any threat and harm to the safety of not only civil aviation but also the neighboring countries and region.

However, in order to prevent the DPRK from exercising its right to self-defence at any cost, the U.S. suspended air navigation services recognized internationally, creating international pressure on the DPRK by politicizing ICAO. Not content with it, the U.S. rammed a "resolution" to avoid even the technical activities with the DPRK, a member state of ICAO.

As for the "UNSC resolution" raised as a ground for the adoption of the recent "resolution", it suspended international air navigation service which is adopted by ICAO as Standard and Recommended Practices. As a result, the "resolution" poses a risk to international air navigation safety and even blocks remittance of ICAO contribution of the member state, which prevents the financial activities of ICAO. As for the rules of "notice in advance" which the DPRK is requested to abide by, they never take into consideration the reality of the Korean Peninsula which is technically at war.

ICAO should not join the U.S. and other anti-DPRK forces seeking to use its arena as a lever of political pressure on a member state while mixing the political and military issue related to the Korean Peninsula with technical activities, but take an impartial stand.

The attempt of the U.S. and its vassal forces to keep the DPRK from exercising its right to self-defence is a blatant violation of the national rights running counter to the UN Charter.

The National Aviation Administration of the DPRK will faithfully carry out its duty in a responsible manner as a member state of ICAO in the future, too. It will never pardon any moves of the U.S. and other hostile forces to isolate and stifle the DPRK within the organization, but will take tougher countermeasures against them. -0-

www.kcna.kp (Juche111.10.8.)