North Korea has criticized the United States for taking issue with the North’s recent firing of short-range projectiles into its eastern waters, saying that the firing was the North’s exercise of its sovereign right.
 
In response to the U.S. State Department spokesman’s criticism of the test firing, the Rodong Sinmun, the gazette of the North's ruling Workers' Party, said Sunday that the test firing was conducted in the North’s waters and it was the North’ legitimate exercise of its sovereign right as an independent country.
 
The paper also said that it is outrageous for the U.S. to claim that its own development and tests of advanced weapons do not pose threats and do not constitute provocation, but the North’s increase of war deterrence does.