North Korea tests another missile, condemns Japan, South Korea

North Korea test-fired another ballistic missile just a week after it vowed to increase its nuclear arsenal as fast as possible.   South Kor...

North Korea test-fired another ballistic missile just a week after it vowed to increase its nuclear arsenal as fast as possible.

 

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff say this is a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Photo: AFP

According to the AFP news agency, North Korea has conducted 14 missile tests since January, including the first full-range intercontinental ballistic missile test since 2017.

Last week, Kim Jong Un oversaw a huge military parade and warned of possible pre-emptive strikes, vowing to rapidly expand and improve its nuclear arsenal, satellite images show. Nuclear tests could resume soon.

 

Also read: North Korea most powerful missile test since 2017

 

The latest test comes just days before South Korea newly elected president, Yoon Seok-yul, was sworn in on May 10, after years of failed diplomacy to crack down on North Korea and boost security cooperation with the United States. Is committed to

South Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said North Korea fired a ballistic missile at 12:03 p.m. from Sinan Airfield near Pyongyang, possibly the site of recent ICBM tests.

The JCS said the missile flew 470 km (300 miles) and reached an altitude of 780 km, adding that it was a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

Read more: North Korea's ballistic missile test threatens peace efforts in the region

Confirming the launch and missile speed, Japanese Defense Minister Makoto Oniki said it fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

"North Korea repeated ballistic missile tests are a threat to the peace and security of our nation, the region and the international community," he said.

South Korea National Security Council has said it strongly condemns the launch and urges North Korea to stop taking steps that pose a serious threat to the Korean Peninsula and return to talks.

Also read: North Korea first test of a nuclear-capable cruise missile

Since the end of high-level diplomacy with former US President Donald Trump, North Korea has doubled Kim Jong Un plans for military modernization, apparently unaware of the threat of further sanctions as it negotiates with the United States. Has also been ignored.