Pyongyang’s fifth round of missile launches, a ‘show of force’ against US-South Korean exercises
Two missiles were launched from Hamhung at dawn this morning. South Korea’s Office of the President urged North Korea to stop testing that can “heighten military tensions" on the Korean Peninsula. Donald Trump doesn't seem worried; he received a "beautiful letter" from Kim Jong-un.
Seoul (AsiaNews) – North Korea fired two short-range missiles on Saturday, South Korea’s Office of the President said, in a "show of force" against US-S. Korea joint military exercises.
The missiles were fired at 5.32 am and at 5.50 am from Hamhung, on North Korea’s east coast, flying for about 400 kilometres at a height of 48 kilometres before falling into the Sea of Japan (East Sea).
This is the fifth time North Korea fires missiles in 15 days (since 25 July), ostensibly in response to joint US-South Korean military exercises, which Pyongyang views as a preparation for an invasion of the North to topple the regime.
More missile launches are expected, as the North Korean military is conducting its own summer drills, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.
According to South Korean military experts, North Korea is testing a new rocket artillery system.
In a statement, South Korea’s Office of the President urged North Korea to stop these launches because they can “heighten military tension" on the Korean Peninsula.
Conversely, the United States is not worried by the tests. A few hours before today's launch, US President Donald Trump said he received a "beautiful” letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, adding that he hopes to resume talks to resolve nuclear standoff.
In the letter, Kim Jong-un complains about the joint exercises. For Trump, “There have been no nuclear tests. The missile tests have all been short-range. No ballistic missile tests. No long-range missiles."
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