North Korea fires ballistic missiles as tension mounts
Wednesday’s launch comes follows days after testing of cruise missile that may have nuclear capabilities
15 September 2021 - 11:33
byHyonhee Shin and Josh Smith
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A new multiple launch rocket system is test fired in this undated file photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang. Picture: REUTERS
Seoul — North Korea fired a pair of ballistic missiles off its east coast on Wednesday, South Korean military officials said, ratcheting up regional tension just days after testing a cruise missile with possible nuclear capabilities.
Pyongyang has been steadily developing its weapons programme as talks aimed at dismantling its nuclear and ballistic missile arsenals in return for US sanctions relief have stalled.
The negotiations, initiated between former US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in 2018, have stalled since 2019.
“North Korea fired two unidentified ballistic missiles from its central inland region towards the east coast, and intelligence authorities of South Korea and the US are conducting detailed analysis for further information,” South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement.
South Korea’s military has raised its level of surveillance, and is maintaining full readiness in close co-operation with the US, the JCS added.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said the missile launch was “outrageous”, and strongly condemned the action as a threat to peace and security of the region.
Japan’s Coast Guard said the missiles landed outside its exclusive economic zone.
Suga and South Korean President Moon Jae-in would convene sessions of their national security councils to discuss the launches, according to their offices.
Flurry of diplomacy
The ballistic missile tests are North Korea's first since March this year and a further breach of UN sanctions.
“Despite its self-imposed pandemic lockdown, North Korea continues to prioritise military modernisation,” said Leif-Eric Easley, international studies professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.
The latest launch came as foreign ministers of South Korea and China held talks in Seoul about North Korea’s recent cruise missile test and the stalled denuclearisation negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington.
North Korea said it successfully tested a new long-range cruise missile last weekend, calling it “a strategic weapon of great significance”. Analysts say that weapon could be the country's first cruise missile with a nuclear capability.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, when asked about the earlier cruise missile tests, said all parties should work to promote peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
“Not only North Korea but other countries are carrying out military activity,” he told reporters. “All of us should make efforts in a way that helps resume dialogue.”
In a meeting with Wang on Wednesday, Moon asked for China’s support to restart dialogue, saying North Korea has not been responding to offers from South Korea and the US for talks or engagement such as humanitarian aid, Moon’s spokesperson said.
The nuclear envoys of South Korea, Japan, and the US were meeting in Tokyo this week as well.
US envoy for North Korea Sung Kim said on Tuesday the US has no hostile intent towards Pyongyang and hopes it responds positively to offers for talks on its weapons programmes.
Kim was due to meet his Japanese counterpart for a bilateral meeting on Wednesday.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
North Korea fires ballistic missiles as tension mounts
Wednesday’s launch comes follows days after testing of cruise missile that may have nuclear capabilities
Seoul — North Korea fired a pair of ballistic missiles off its east coast on Wednesday, South Korean military officials said, ratcheting up regional tension just days after testing a cruise missile with possible nuclear capabilities.
Pyongyang has been steadily developing its weapons programme as talks aimed at dismantling its nuclear and ballistic missile arsenals in return for US sanctions relief have stalled.
The negotiations, initiated between former US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in 2018, have stalled since 2019.
“North Korea fired two unidentified ballistic missiles from its central inland region towards the east coast, and intelligence authorities of South Korea and the US are conducting detailed analysis for further information,” South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement.
South Korea’s military has raised its level of surveillance, and is maintaining full readiness in close co-operation with the US, the JCS added.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said the missile launch was “outrageous”, and strongly condemned the action as a threat to peace and security of the region.
Japan’s Coast Guard said the missiles landed outside its exclusive economic zone.
Suga and South Korean President Moon Jae-in would convene sessions of their national security councils to discuss the launches, according to their offices.
Flurry of diplomacy
The ballistic missile tests are North Korea's first since March this year and a further breach of UN sanctions.
“Despite its self-imposed pandemic lockdown, North Korea continues to prioritise military modernisation,” said Leif-Eric Easley, international studies professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.
The latest launch came as foreign ministers of South Korea and China held talks in Seoul about North Korea’s recent cruise missile test and the stalled denuclearisation negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington.
North Korea said it successfully tested a new long-range cruise missile last weekend, calling it “a strategic weapon of great significance”. Analysts say that weapon could be the country's first cruise missile with a nuclear capability.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, when asked about the earlier cruise missile tests, said all parties should work to promote peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
“Not only North Korea but other countries are carrying out military activity,” he told reporters. “All of us should make efforts in a way that helps resume dialogue.”
In a meeting with Wang on Wednesday, Moon asked for China’s support to restart dialogue, saying North Korea has not been responding to offers from South Korea and the US for talks or engagement such as humanitarian aid, Moon’s spokesperson said.
The nuclear envoys of South Korea, Japan, and the US were meeting in Tokyo this week as well.
US envoy for North Korea Sung Kim said on Tuesday the US has no hostile intent towards Pyongyang and hopes it responds positively to offers for talks on its weapons programmes.
Kim was due to meet his Japanese counterpart for a bilateral meeting on Wednesday.
Reuters
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