North Korea fires another ballistic missile despite sanctions threats

SEOUL // North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile on Sunday, the latest in a series of launches which have sparked international condemnation and threats of tougher UN sanctions.

The South’s military said it could not yet identify the type of missile fired from Pukchang in South Pyongan province but it travelled about 500 kilometres. Washington described it as a medium-range missile.

“Our military is closely monitoring signs for additional provocation by the North Korean military and we are keeping a full military readiness,” said South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff.

The launch came one week after the North fired a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range missile, which according to Pyongyang flew almost 800km and could carry a “heavy” nuclear warhead.

Analysts said the Hwasong travelled further than any 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 sixth nuclear test, have fuelled 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 Mr Trump confirmed the North had test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile but appeared to play down Sunday’s launch.

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

* Agence France-Presse