North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the sea east of the Korean peninsula on Saturday morning (local time). The South Korean news agency ‘Yonhap’ reports this on the basis of a statement from the South Korean army. More details have not been disclosed for the time being.
Japan’s Coast Guard also said North Korea fired a ballistic missile, which the Japanese say has already ended up in the sea, although outside Japanese territorial waters.
North Korea has already fired nearly 70 ballistic missiles this year. Earlier this month, the country also tested a high-thrust solid-fuel engine. According to North Korean state media, that test was conducted for the development of a new strategic weapon. The test proved the engine’s reliability and stability, according to the North Korean state news agency ‘KCNA’. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed the expectation that “another new type of strategic weapon will be made in the shortest time”, according to KCNA.
Last month, Pyongyang launched, among other things, an advanced intercontinental missile that could reach the American mainland. At the launch, Kim Jong-un expressed his wish for his country to become the largest nuclear power in the world. Also in November, for the first time since the Korean War (1950-1953), a missile landed in South Korean waters.
UN resolutions prohibit North Korea from testing ballistic missiles that, depending on their design, may also carry nuclear warheads. Nevertheless, the country continues with the missile tests, despite sanctions from the international community.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss a thing of the stars.