North Korea on Monday fired an apparent ballistic missile off its east coast that landed in the waters of Japan's economic zone, South Korean and Japanese officials said. It's the latest in a string of recent test launches as the North seeks to build nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that can reach the U.S. mainland.
A statement by the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launch came from around the eastern North Korean coastal town of Wonsan. The agency added that North Korea fired a suspected Scud-type ballistic missile that flew about 450 kilometres.
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Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said what appeared to be a North Korean ballistic missile fell within Japan's exclusive maritime economic zone. He said there was no immediate report of damage to planes or vessels in the area.
North Korea is still thought to be several years away from its goal of being able to target U.S. mainland cities with a nuclear ICBM, but each new test puts it closer to success.
There was no immediate comment from North Korea's state controlled media. But the launch followed a report from the North that said leader Kim Jong-un had watched a successful test of a new type of anti-aircraft guided weapon system. It wasn't clear from the report when the test happened.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un watches the testing of a guided weapon system. Each new test puts the country closer to success. (KCNA via Reuters)
After the test, Kim said the weapon system's ability to detect and track targets had "remarkably" improved and its accuracy also increased, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.
KCNA cited Kim as ordering officials to mass-produce and deploy the system all over the country so as to "completely spoil the enemy's wild dream to command the air."
Launches present challenge for new presidents
The North's nuclear and missile programs are perhaps the biggest foreign policy challenges to the new leaders in allies Washington and Seoul.
U.S. President Donald Trump has alternated in his public statements between aggression and flattery. But his administration is still working to solidify a policy to deal with North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
A new liberal president in Seoul, Moon Jae-in, has signaled he will be flexible in expanding civilian exchange with North Korea. But many analysts say Moon won't likely push for any major rapprochement projects because North Korea has gone too far on its nuclear program. Monday's missile launch was the third one by North Korea since Moon's inauguration on May 10.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in is seen in Seoul on May 14. Analysts say Moon won't likely push for any major rapprochement projects because North Korea has gone too far on its nuclear program. (Yonhap via AP)
Moon called a National Security Council meeting to discuss the North's launch.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who just returned from a G7 meeting in Italy, told reporters Monday that "North Korea's provocation by ignoring repeated warning from the international society is absolutely unacceptable."
Abe said Japan will "take concrete steps with the U.S. in order to deter North Korea," although he did not elaborate on specific actions. "We will also co-operate with South Korea and other members of the international society and maintain high levels of caution in order to do utmost for the protection of our people's safety."
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks to reporters on Monday morning. Abe said Japan will 'take concrete steps with the U.S. in order to deter North Korea.' (Muneyuki Tomari/Kyodo News via AP)
Besides its regular ballistic missile test-launches, the North carried out two nuclear tests last year — in January and September. Outside analysts believe North Korea may be able to arm some of its shorter-range missiles with nuclear warheads, though the exact state of the North's secretive weapons program is unknown.
Moon has made tentative steps toward engaging the North by restarting stalled civilian aid and exchange programs as a way to improve strained ties.
South Korea said recently that it will allow a civic group to contact North Korea about potentially offering help in treating malaria, the first government approval on cross-border civilian exchanges since January 2016.
