North Korea has launched another missile into the sea for the seventh time this year. According to information from South Korea, it was a medium-range missile.
Despite international sanctions, North Korea, a self-proclaimed nuclear power, conducted its largest missile test since 2017. The General Staff of the South Korean armed forces said that, on Sunday, North Korea launched a medium-range missile that flew 800 km towards sea view. The ballistic missile reached a flight altitude of 2000 km.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in accused North Korea of taking a step closer to breaking its self-imposed ban on long-range missile tests. North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un declared in April 2018 that nuclear tests and tests using medium and long-range missiles are not necessary at the present time. Only a later decision of the Central Committee mentioned the prohibition of testing ICBMs. Intermediate-range missiles are missiles with a range of 800-5500 km.
South Korea accuses North Korea of violating UN resolution
Moon also accused the neighboring country on Sunday of violating UN resolutions. Resolutions prohibiting North Korea from testing ballistic missiles. Usually these are surface-to-surface missiles that can also carry a nuclear warhead.
North Korea has already tested missiles several times since the beginning of the year. Ahead of the latest test, the country said it launched two “surface-guided tactical missiles” with conventional warheads on Thursday.
Japan also confirmed North Korea’s latest missile test. Japan’s Kyodo news agency quoted government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno as saying that the missile apparently fell in the Sea of Japan (Korean: East Sea). Tokyo has filed a protest against the test.
North Korea regularly tests different types of missiles. For years, the communist leadership in Pyongyang has been pressing ahead with the development of missiles that could be fitted with nuclear warheads. Therefore, it is subject to harsh international sanctions.
In the face of criticism for its missile tests, North Korea claims it is exercising its right to self-defense, among other things. The country declared itself a nuclear power. But due to negotiations over its nuclear weapons program, its status is open. The United States’ negotiations with North Korea have not progressed in three good years.
