Individuals stroll previous a tv display displaying a information broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile take a look at, at a railway station in Seoul on January 11, 2022, after North Korea fired a “suspected ballistic missile” into the ocean, South Korea’s army mentioned, lower than every week after Pyongyang reported testing a hypersonic missile.
Anthony Wallace | AFP | Getty Pictures
North Korea fired a ballistic missile on Saturday, South Korean army mentioned, three days earlier than the inauguration of South Korean president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, who has vowed to take a tough line towards the North.
South Korean army mentioned that North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile believed to be an submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) into the ocean off its east coast round 0507 GMT on Saturday from round Sinpo, the place North Korea retains submarines in addition to gear for test-firing SLBMs.
Japan’s defence ministry additionally tweeted that the projectile might be a ballistic missile. It had fallen, Japan’s Coast Guard mentioned round 0525 GMT, primarily based on info from Japan’s Ministry of Protection.
Japanese public broadcaster NHK mentioned the projectile landed outdoors of Japan’s unique financial zone, citing authorities sources.
On Wednesday, North Korea fired a ballistic missile towards the ocean off its east coast, South Korea and Japan mentioned, after Pyongyang vowed to develop its nuclear forces “on the quickest potential pace.”
America assessed that North Korea was making ready its Punggye-ri nuclear take a look at website and might be able to conduct a take a look at there as early as this month.
“As an alternative of accepting invites to dialogue, the Kim regime seems to be making ready a tactical nuclear warhead take a look at. The timing will rely most on when the underground tunnels and modified gadget know-how are prepared,” mentioned Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha College in Seoul.
“A seventh nuclear take a look at could be the primary since September 2017 and lift tensions on the Korean Peninsula, rising risks of miscalculation and miscommunication between the Kim regime and the incoming Yoon administration.”
Yoon takes workplace on Tuesday. U.S. President Joe Biden is to go to South Korea and meet with him on Might 21.
