North Korea fired several projectiles, including at least one short-range ballistic missile, toward waters off its west coast on Tuesday, according to South Korea’s military.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launches took place at about 1 p.m. local time from near Chongju in North Pyongan Province.
The missile travelled about 80 kilometres, the military said.
It marked North Korea’s first known missile launch since 19 April, when Pyongyang test-fired several short-range ballistic missiles it said were equipped with cluster bombs.
Earlier in April, North Korea also announced tests of a new cluster-bomb warhead fitted to a ballistic missile and an electromagnetic weapon. Analysts said the tests appeared aimed at demonstrating the country’s ability to fight a modern war.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said in March that the country’s nuclear-armed status was irreversible and that expanding a “self-defensive nuclear deterrent” remained critical to national security.
Despite United Nations sanctions imposed since 2006 over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, North Korea has accelerated military development efforts under Kim, drawing condemnation from South Korea, Japan and the United States.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday urged North Korea to respond to Seoul’s peace overtures and efforts aimed at reducing tensions.
The spokesperson added that Seoul would maintain its goal of complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula while pursuing a phased and pragmatic approach in coordination with the international community.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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