U.S. says DPRK missile test not helpful

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- The United States said on Wednesday any missile tests by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) are not helpful to the settlement of nuclear issues on the Korean peninsula.

Speaking to reporters at a news briefing, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack declined to confirm reports that the DPRK had missile tests on Tuesday.

McCormack said the United States "would advise against" any short-range missile firing, because "It's not helpful in any way managing tensions within the region."

South Korea's media said two missiles were fired by DPRK on Tuesday, the country's first missile test since March.

McCormack also declined to provide any details about U.S. envoy Christopher Hill's recent visit to Pyongyang for talks meant to save stalled six-party nuclear disarmament negotiations.

The DPRK stopped disabling its nuclear facilities in August in retaliation for Washington breaking its promise to remove the DPRK from its list of terrorism sponsors.