North Korea launches mid-range ballistic missiles
The North has launched dozens of short-range rockets in recent weeks.North Korea has fired two mid-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast and towards Japan, South Korea\’s military said as the leaders of South Korea, Japan and the United States discussed North Korea\’s arms programmes.
South Korea says the suspected Rodong ballistic missiles fired early Wednesday flew about 650 kilometers before landing in the sea between Korea and Japan.
That represents an escalation for Pyongyang, which has test-fired a series of short-range Scud missiles in recent weeks.
Seoul\’s Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok called the move a "serious provocation" and noted it was meant to a send a political message.
"North Korea\’s missile launch this time is a clear violation against United Nations Security Council resolutions. Also, it is a serious provocation against South Korea and the international society. This is in opposition to declarations in favor of North Korea\’s denuclearization during the Korea-China summit meeting and the Korea-U.S.-Japan summit meeting at the Nuclear Security Summit (in the Netherlands), and in (opposition to) the annual Korea-U.S. joint military drill. It is also showing its capability of firing ballistic missiles."
The U.S. State Department confirmed the launches, calling them a "troubling and provocative escalation" and saying the North provided no warning beforehand.
It also said the move was a "clear violation" of U.N. Security Council resolutions against North Korea\’s ballistic missile program.
The launch came as leaders of the United States, Japan and South Korea met in the Netherlands, with North Korea\’s nuclear ambitions high on the agenda of their talks.
Before the meeting started Tuesday, U.S. President Barack Obama said deepening coordination among Washington, Tokyo and Seoul, including "military cooperation that includes joint exercises," is vital to dealing with North Korea.
The launches come after Pyongyang fired 16 short-range Scud rockets into its eastern waters early Sunday, following similar launches of 30 rockets Saturday.
Source: Agencies
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