THE Philippines condemned Saturday North Korea's testing of two short-range missiles into the Sea of Japan, and promised to support United Nations (UN) action on the matter.

Deputy presidential spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo said the Philippines is "bothered" by the incident, which threatens not only the Philippines but also the world.

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"It bothers us because this concerns not just our country but the world," Fajardo said over radio interview.

According to her, the Philippines expects the UN to issue a statement and take appropriate action on the matter.

"As we have said in the past, whatever the UN says, the Philippines will follow. We join in the condemnation of that missile test...we would like to live in a peaceful and harmonious environment. So we'll see what the UN will do and we will fully support that," she said.

Last June 20, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reassured Japan of the Philippines' support in seeking a comprehensive solution to the row involving North Korea's nuclear testing in the region.

Arroyo, who was at that time in Japan, said the Philippines "stands foursquare" behind Japan, who she described as "our friend and ally."

"We stand foursquare behind our friend and ally Japan in seeking a comprehensive solution to the North Korean issue in light of the UN Security Council resolution and hopefully to the expanded talks framework," she said.

She said that as Japan had stood by the Philippines, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on other matters, "now we must stand by Japan ... on the North Korean issue."

Earlier, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1874 condemning the nuclear test by North Korea. (JMR/Sunnex)