North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Thursday, simply hours earlier than the leaders of South Korea and Japan met in Tokyo.
Pyongyang aimed the long-range missile – its second weapons take a look at this week – towards the East Sea, because the Sea of Japan can also be identified.
The missile was launched close to North Korea’s capital Pyongyang within the morning and lined about 1,000 kilometers earlier than crashing into the ocean, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff mentioned in an replace, describing the missile as able to carrying nuclear warheads.
The launch comes after Pyongyang confirmed having fired Tuesday two “ground-to-ground tactical ballistic missiles” concentrating on an islet within the Sea of Japan off the nation’s east coast.
U.N. resolutions prohibit North Korea from testing ballistic missiles of any vary, which – relying on their design – can be geared up with a nuclear warhead. Pyongyang has elevated the variety of missile exams since final 12 months.
Missiles with the aptitude to journey greater than 5,500 kilometers are counted as ICBMs.
The launches got here after South Korea and the United States kicked off a significant joint train dubbed “Freedom Shield” early this week.
Pyongyang had not too long ago threatened countermeasures ought to the U.S. and South Korea stage additional army workouts. This was taken to imply a brand new collection of missile exams or a brand new nuclear take a look at by regional observers.
Tensions on the Korean peninsula have elevated significantly once more since final 12 months, with North Korea more and more testing nuclear-capable missiles.
On Sunday, North Korea fired two missiles from a submarine within the East Sea. This take a look at is alleged to have additionally served as a nuclear deterrent.
Just hours after the take a look at, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol touched down in Tokyo to fulfill Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
According to Yonhap, North Korea’s missile exams are anticipated to be excessive on the agenda.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
