South Korea says North Korea has fired three short-range ballistic missiles at sea in the latest in a series of gun demonstrations this year
By HYUNG-JIN KIM, KIM TONG-HYUNG and MARI YAMAGUCHI Associated Press
May 12, 2022, 7:16 p.m.
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SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea fired three short-range ballistic missiles at sea on Thursday, its neighbors said, the last in a series of gun demonstrations this year and one that came hours after confirming its first coronavirus case since the pandemic began.
The launches could underscore North Korea’s determination to continue its efforts to expand its arsenal despite the outbreak of the virus to garner support behind leader Kim Jong Un and maintain pressure on rivals amid long-dormant nuclear diplomacy.
Thursday’s launches were the first weapons fired from the North since the inauguration of new conservative South Korean President Yun Suk Yel on Tuesday.
North Korea has a history of annoyance with the new governments in Seoul and Washington in an apparent attempt to strengthen its currency in future negotiations. The North Korean nuclear threat is likely to top the agenda when Yun meets with visiting US President Joe Biden in Seoul next week.
South Korea, Japan and the United States have condemned a test of weapons fired from the northern capital on Thursday afternoon.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan condemned the start when he spoke by phone with his South Korean counterpart Kim Sung Khan, according to a White House statement. The two also discussed President Joe Biden’s visit to South Korea next week, Biden’s first visit to an Asian country during his presidency. Biden also has to visit Japan during the whirlwind trip.
The missiles landed in waters between North Korea’s east coast and outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said. There is no evidence of damage to aircraft or vessels.
The South Korean military has said it has stepped up its readiness and surveillance while maintaining close coordination with the United States. He called on the North to immediately stop its repeated rocket launches.
South Korea and Japan have published similar details of the flight, saying the weapons have traveled about 350-360 kilometers (217-224 miles) at a maximum altitude of 90-100 kilometers (56-62 miles).
Earlier on Thursday, North Korean state media confirmed the country’s first infections with COVID-19, as Kim ordered a nationwide blockade to slow the spread of the virus. Kim also ordered officials to strengthen the country’s defensive stance to avoid any security vacuum.
In recent months, North Korea has launched a series of missiles, which experts call an attempt to modernize its weapons and pressure the United States and its allies to accept it as a nuclear power and ease sanctions against the North. Some observers say that despite increased anti-virus steps, North Korea is likely to continue building its arsenal of weapons tests to boost public morale and boost loyalty to Kim’s leadership.
“North Korea’s latest missile launches seem excessive compared to what would be needed to test and improve military capabilities,” said Leif-Eric Isley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. “These launches look like a show of force after the Kim regime publicly acknowledged a coronavirus outbreak.
A statement issued after a meeting chaired by Yun’s national security adviser, Kim Sung-han, said South Korea would seek “practical” and “rigorous” measures in co-operation with the international community to respond to the growing threat from North Korea. .
Recently tested North Korean weapons include various nuclear-capable missiles that could potentially reach South Korea, Japan or the mainland. able to reach the entire American homeland.
The UN Security Council usually imposes criminal sanctions on North Korea after it conducts long-range nuclear and missile tests. But this did not happen in March because veto members were divided over Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Last Saturday, South Korea spotted a North Korean ballistic missile launch, possibly from a submarine, the first such test since last October. There are also signs that the North is preparing to conduct its first nuclear test in nearly five years at a remote test site in its northeast.
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Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo.
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