U.S. calls for N. Korea's restraint following reports of missile test

WASHINGTON (Yonhap) - The United States urged North Korea Wednesday to stop provocative acts, responding to media reports that the communist nation conducted a short-range missile test last week.
In a daily press briefing, however, State Department spokeswoman Mark Toner would not confirm the reports.
"We're not, obviously, in a position to confirm any of the news reports that we've seen. We continue to monitor, however, the situation," he said. "We would just urge North Korea to exercise restraint."
Earlier in the day, an intelligence source in South Korea said the North test-fired a KN-06 missile into the Yellow Sea in the middle of last week.
The source said the North's move appears to be aimed at upgrading its existing missiles.
The North test-launched five KN-02 ground-to-ground missiles in October 2009 off the coast of the East Sea.
With regard to possible food aid for Pyongyang, meanwhile, Toner said his government will closely consult with the European Union, which has sent its own team there for an assessment of the food situation.
"We collaborate closely with the EU. But our decisions will be based on our criteria," he said.