N Korea fires missiles before leaders meet in S Korea
|
North Korea has fired its first ballistic missile tests in five months, days before US President Donald Trump and other leaders are expected to meet in South Korea.
South Korea’s military detected multiple suspected short-range ballistic missiles launched from an area south of Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
The weapons flew about 350km each in a northeastern direction but South Korea’s military didn’t say where they landed.
Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told reporters that none of the missiles reached Japan’s territorial waters or exclusive economic zone and that there had been no reports of damage.
She said Tokyo was closely communicating with Washington and Seoul, including by sharing real-time missile warning data.
North Korea last launched ballistic missiles on May 8 when it fired multiple short-range missiles from its east coast.
North Korea rejects international ban backed by the US and South Korea among others on its ballistic missile development.
Wednesday’s launch comes ahead of a visit to South Korea next week by leaders attending an Asia-Pacific economic forum, including Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Experts earlier said North Korea could launch provocative missile tests ahead or during the APEC summit to underscore its commitment to acquiring the status of a nuclear weapons state.
Earlier this month, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un displayed a new long-range missile at a massive military parade in Pyongyang, with top Chinese, Russian and other leaders present.
The parade, which marked the 80th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party, highlighted Kim’s growing diplomatic footing and his relentless drive to build an arsenal that could target the continental United States and his rivals in Asia.
Kim’s diplomatic credentials have been bolstered recently. He took centre stage with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Beijing military parade last month.
Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung have also repeatedly expressed hopes to meet the reclusive North Korean leader as he flaunts a provocative nuclear program.
with AP
Reuters
