Pyongyang, conducts "long-range ballistic tests"
According to the South Korean armed forces, however, these are two short-range missiles. The USA confirms: they have flown for over 300km. Ballistic exercises represent a violation of UN resolutions. The launch took place while Seoul and Washington are discussing the denuclearization of the North.
Seoul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - North Korea has conducted long-range ballistic exercises: state media reported today, following the launch in the East Sea of what experts believe are two short-range missiles.
"At the command post, Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un learned about a plan of the strike drill of various long-range strike means and gave an order of start of the drill," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the regime's news agency. According to the armed forces of South Korea, Pyongyang launched two short-range missiles from its northwestern region to the East Sea; the trajectory of the rockets is long respectively 420 and 270 km.
The US confirms that yesterday's launches concern ballistic missiles that have flown over 300km. Analysts say they are identical to those launched on 4 May last, described by the North Koreans as "newly developed tactical weapons".
Hours after the launch, South Korean president Moon Jae-in said that, although short-range, if they were ballistic they could be a violation of UN resolutions. US President Donald Trump said that Washington is monitoring "North Korea very seriously", adding that it does not believe the regime is ready to negotiate.
Nuclear negotiations have stalled since the second Trump-Kim summit, held last February. The talks failed because the two leaders failed to reach agreement on Pyongyang's denuclearization and on the easing of economic sanctions imposed by Washington.
The last North Korean missile tests took place while US special representative for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, is visiting the South to confront Seoul on Pyongyang's denuclearization.
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