A U.S. State Department official says North Korea’s recent provocative actions, including missile launches and a nuclear test, do not meet the legal requirements needed to put the North back on the U.S. terrorism blacklist.

Assistant Secretary of State Philip Crowley made the statement during a news conference Wednesday after being questioned to comment on a report that eight senators are seeking to put the North back on the terrorism list.

Crowley said that firing both missiles and over-heated rhetoric is unwise and unhelpful, but does not meet the legal definition of terrorism.

Crowley’s remarks differ from a previous statement issued by the department shortly after the North conducted its second nuclear test on May 25th. At the time, the department said it would seek further financial sanctions against the North and would consider placing the North back on the terrorism list.

Crowley added that the U.S. is still attempting to determine the specifics about North Korea’s recent nuclear test, including what the North was hoping to achieve with the move.