'N Korean missile tests have isolated it'

Washington: Responding to the North Korean missile tests, US President George W Bush said the act had internationally isolated Pyongyang.

He added the US would use diplomacy in its dealings with Pyongyang only through the framework of the six-party talks and not bilaterally.

At a White House press conference with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Bush said, "The North Korean government can join the community of nations and improve its lot by acting in concert with those of us who believe that she shouldn't possess nuclear weapons, and by those of us who believe that there's a positive way forward for the North Korean government and her people. In other words, this is a choice they made."

"What the firing of these rockets have done is they've isolated themselves further. And that's sad for the people of North Korea. I am deeply concerned about the plight of the people of North Korea. I would hope that the government would agree to verifiably abandon its weapons programmes," Bush added.

Asked if he was hoping for a "stronger" response from China, Bush maintained that Beijing "will play - have played and will continue to play a very important role in the six-party talks.

"It's my view that the best way to solve this problem diplomatically is for there to be more than one nation speaking to North Korea, more than America voicing our opinions," Bush said.

"It's more effective for them to hear from a group of nations rather than one nation," he added.

Meanwhile activities in North Korea suggests the communist state may fire more missiles, South Korea's Defence Minister, Yoon Kwang-ung said on Thursday.

Analysis of equipment and personnel that are being moved in and out of a site suggests the possibility of additional launches, Kwang-ung told a parliamentary committee.