Russia calls for restraint over DPRK's missile tests

MOSCOW, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Russia has urged restraint in responding to recent test launches of short-range missiles by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The DPRK's recent test launches did not pass unnoticed, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko told a regular news briefing on Thursday.

Russia supported strict compliance with the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874 but "urges concerned parties to show self-control and to avoid actions that may complicate the already difficult military and political situation in the region," he said.

The main task was to continue constructive efforts to implement the agreements that had been signed and resume the six-party talks at an early date, said the spokesman.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that Pyongyang had test-fired a total of five short-range ground-to-ground missiles off its east coast on Monday.

Launched in 2003, the six-party negotiations on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue involve China, the DPRK, the United States, South Korea, Russia and Japan.

The talks have been stalled since the last round in Beijing last December.