Following North Korea’s ballistic missile launch earlier this week, the State Department has condemned the launch and pushed for a return to diplomacy.

“The United States condemns the (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) DPRK's missile launch,” a State Department spokesperson told the Yonhap News Agency. “This launch is in violation of multiple U.N. Security Council Resolutions and poses a threat to the DPRK's neighbors and other members of the international community.”

“We remain committed to a diplomatic approach to the DPRK and call on them to engage in dialogue. Our commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad,” the State Department said.

The ballistic missile launch followed a cruise missile test earlier in the week. North Korea had also launched both types of missiles earlier in the year.

Also on Wednesday, South Korea tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), one which was attended by President Moon Jae-in.

Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, reacted strongly to that launch, in a statement cited by Yonhap.

“If the president joins in slandering the other party, it will inevitably result in counteractions, which will lead to the complete destruction of relations between North and South Korea,” Kim Yo-Jong said.

In another piece of bizarre North Korea news this week, Buckingham Place this week confirmed that Queen Elizabeth sent a congratulatory message to the North Korean regime on the country’s national day, CNN confirmed.

“Her Majesty in all dealings with other Heads of State acts on the advice of the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth, & Development Office),” the Palace spokesperson said.”As in previous years, HM The Queen has sent a message to the people of the DPRK on the occasion of their National Day.”

That was the day of the parade, at which Kim Jong-un appeared in a tailored suit, and “stole the show,” multiple U.S media outlets said.

“Kim Jong Un still managed to seize the spotlight by looking thinner and more energetic than he has in years,” CBS News said in its coverage of the parade. “During the event late Wednesday, Kim, wearing a cream-colored suit and a shiny white tie, emerged as the clock struck midnight. He beamed in response to thunderous applause from performers and spectators filling Pyongyang's brightly illuminated Kim Il Sung Square, named after his grandfather, the country's founder.”

The New York Post published an article with the headline “Kim Jong Un shows off new body at North Korean parade,” while one Fox News contributor noted that she thought Kim looked better than “our president.” Another man appearing on Fox shared the baseless assertion that the Kim who appeared at the parade was not actually Kim Jong-un, but rather a body double.

Stephen Silver, a technology writer for The National Interest, is a journalist, essayist, and film critic, who is also a contributor to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philly Voice, Philadelphia Weekly, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Living Life Fearless, Backstage magazine, Broad Street Review and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. Follow him on Twitter at @StephenSilver.

Image: Reuters