North Korea fires another ballistic missile despite sanctions threats

SEOUL, South Korea (4th UPDATE) – North Korea Sunday, May 21, test-fired a ballistic missile, the latest in a series of launches which have sparked international condemnation and threats of tougher United Nations sanctions.

South Korea described the launch, the 2nd in a week and the 10th this year, as “reckless and irresponsible” while the US military stressed “ironclad commitment” to defend its allies in the region.  

The missile, described by Washington as a medium-range one, was fired from Pukchang in South Pyongan province and traveled about 500 kilometers (311 miles), according to the South’s armed forces.

“Our military is closely monitoring signs for additional provocation by the North Korean military and we are keeping a full military readiness,” said a statement from the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The launch came just one week after the North fired a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range missile, which according to Pyongyang flew almost 800 km and could carry a “heavy” nuclear warhead. Analysts said the Hwasong traveled further than any previous ballistic missile launched by the North.

The May 14 launch was seen as a significant step forward in the North’s weapons capabilities as it accelerates efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the continental United States.

The launches, and a threatened 6th nuclear test, have fueled tension with the administration of US President Donald Trump, who has vowed that such an ICBM launch “won’t happen.”

A White House official visiting Saudi Arabia with Trump appeared to play down Sunday’s firing.

“We are aware that North Korea launched an MRBM (medium-range ballistic missile). This system, last tested in February, has a shorter range than the missiles launched in North Korea’s 3 most recent tests,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

But the South’s foreign ministry slammed the “reckless and irresponsible” firing as “throwing cold water on the hope and longing of the new government and the international community” for denuclearization and peace on the Korean peninsula.

Seoul’s incoming left-leaning government has taken a more conciliatory line with Pyongyang than its conservative predecessors, but reacted strongly to the latest two missile tests.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the missile launches “trample on efforts by the international community towards a peaceful solution and are a challenge to the world,” Kyodo News reported.

The US Pacific Command said it tracked the missile until it landed in the Sea of Japan (East Sea).

“US Pacific Command stands behind our ironclad commitment to the security of our allies in the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and Japan,” it added in a statement.

Pyongyang has long had missiles that can reach targets across South Korea and Japan.

With an imputed range of 4,500 kilometers the Hwasong-12 also puts US bases on the Pacific island of Guam within reach.

‘Many more’ missiles

The UN Security Council met behind closed doors last Tuesday, May 16, to discuss tightening sanctions on North Korea after its May 14 launch.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley said the United States was working with China, Pyongyang’s main ally, on a new sanctions resolution and warned that all countries must step up action against North Korea or face measures themselves.

The North says it needs missiles and nuclear weapons to deter any attack by the United States, and state newspaper Minju Joson Sunday threatened more launches. 

“If the US persists in confrontation with the DPRK (North Korea), the latter will show how the crime-woven history of the US is put to an end,” it said.

“Many more ‘Juche weapons’ capable of striking the US will be launched from this land. This is the DPRK’s answer to the Trump administration,” it said, referring to the national philosophy of “Juche” or self-reliance. – Rappler.com