North Korea Fires Projectile Into Sea

The test was the first ballistic missile launch from the country since its February 12 test launch of the Pukkuksong-2 solid-fuel, medium-range ballistic missile, and its second ballistic missile launch in 2017 overall.

The launch happened while Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was in the United States visiting US President Donald Trump.

South Korea’s acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn condemned the launches and said the country would swiftly deploy a United States anti-missile defence in the face of angry objections from China.

South Korea’s military said there was a low chance the missiles were intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

He said there were small gaps of time between each launch but stressed more analysis was needed before offering specifics.

Yonhap quoted a ministry source as saying the reward hike from the $217,000 now offered by the Seoul government “reflects the rise in consumer prices since 1997”, the last time the reward bounty was adjusted.

The United States sees no indications so far that North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in its latest launch, USA officials told Reuters on Sunday, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing us assessment.

It is not immediately clear what was sacked, but Pyongyang has staged a series of missile test-launches of various ranges in recent months.

A South Korean military official said the latest launch, which took place at 7.36am local time Monday, was being investigated to determine the type of the projectile used.

South Korea’s military said the missiles flew about 1,000km and reached an altitude of about 260km.

The firings could be in retaliation for a joint U.S.

During the NSC’s standing committee meeting, Hwang condemned the launch as a grave provocation against the global community.

“This is a direct challenge to the worldwide community and a grave violation”, he said.

Speaking to the Japanese parliament, Abe said the launch was a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

The Korean Peninsula remains in a technical state of war after the Korean War of 1950-53 ended with an armistice and not a peace pact.