N. Korea fires another ballistic missile, flies about 500km
SEOUL/TOKYO (Kyodo) — North Korea test-fired another ballistic missile on Sunday that flew about 500 kilometers, despite repeated international warnings against Pyongyang not to continue with military provocations.
Japan’s top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said at a hastily called press conference the missile was launched at 4:59 p.m. Japan time and is believed to have fallen into the sea outside its exclusive economic zone.
In this Apr. 15 file photo, missiles are paraded across Kim Il Sung Square during a military parade in Pyongyang. © AP
South Korea’s military said it was fired from a site in the vicinity of Pukchang in South Pyeongan Province.
Japanese and South Korean officials said they are working to determine the type of missile and other details, but added it appeared to not be an intercontinental ballistic missile.
U.S. officials said the missile is the same type tested in February, a medium long-range Pukguksong-2 which also flew about 500 km before plunging in the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.
Japan and South Korea both swiftly convened national security council meetings.
Suga said no damage had been reported, adding the Japanese government had already issued a protest to North Korea through diplomatic channels.
The latest launch came just a week after North Korea tested what it called a new type of ground-to-ground medium- to long-range ballistic missile that flew nearly 800 km.
Describing the test on May 14 as successful, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned the United States not to “disregard or misjudge” its military capability.
The U.S. administration of President Donald Trump has been stepping up pressure on North Korea along with its regional allies and partners, suggesting even harsher sanctions be imposed on Pyongyang if it does not change course.
Source:asia.nikkei.com