MADRID - The Spanish government on Monday took the decision to expel Kim Hyok Choi, the ambassador of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to Madrid, capital of Spain.

The Spanish Foreign Ministry announced the decision in a tweet published just after 20:00 local time, which reads: "The North Korean Ambassador was called to a meeting and informed he is 'persona non-grata. He will have to leave his functions by 30/9 (September 30)."

The move is a response to the continued nuclear and missile tests by the DPRK regime and the Spanish government informs that it was "necessary to take this step because these programs are a serious threat to international peace and security."

Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis said that Spain "had repeatedly warned the DPRK Ambassador and authorities" about the tests and on Sept. 1 Spain had told the DPRK Embassy to reduce the number of diplomats in the country following a missile test by DPRK.