Seoul — North Korea’s missile test that coincided with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to the US drew a joint rebuke from the Japanese leader and US President Donald Trump on Sunday. Abe, speaking at a briefing with Trump in Florida, said the missile test "can absolutely not be tolerated" and called on North Korea to fully comply with UN Security Council resolutions. The launch was the first provocation by North Korea since Trump took office. Trump said in brief remarks: "The USA stands behind Japan, its great ally, 100%." Neither Abe nor Trump took questions. Kim Jong-un’s regime has accelerated North Korea’s efforts to develop nuclear weapons and missiles that can strike the US and its allies in Asia. In response, the US plans to deploy a missile defence system known as Thaad in South Korea, a move opposed by China, North Korea’s primary ally. The missile test came amid signs that Trump — having previously chided Japan for what he said was an insufficient contribution to the cos...
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