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| North Korean missile taking flight. Photo: Korea News Service |
North
Korea has fired an intermediate range missile in the direction of Japan, US
military officials said.
Korea has fired an intermediate range missile in the direction of Japan, US
military officials said.
The
land-based missile was fired from near Panghyon airfield, and flew for 37
minutes before landing in the Sea of Japan, said the US Pacific Command.
land-based missile was fired from near Panghyon airfield, and flew for 37
minutes before landing in the Sea of Japan, said the US Pacific Command.
Japan
has lodged a protest and PM Shinzo Abe said the launch “clearly shows that
the threat has grown”.
has lodged a protest and PM Shinzo Abe said the launch “clearly shows that
the threat has grown”.
Pyongyang
has increased the frequency of its nuclear and missile tests in recent months,
raising tensions, BBC reported.
has increased the frequency of its nuclear and missile tests in recent months,
raising tensions, BBC reported.
South
Korea said Tuesday’s projectile was launched at 09:40 local time (00:40 GMT)
and flew about 930km (578 miles).
Korea said Tuesday’s projectile was launched at 09:40 local time (00:40 GMT)
and flew about 930km (578 miles).
The
missile may have landed in waters claimed by Japan as its exclusive economic
zone, according to Japanese officials.
missile may have landed in waters claimed by Japan as its exclusive economic
zone, according to Japanese officials.
The
US said it did not pose a threat to North America.
US said it did not pose a threat to North America.
Meanwhile
Pyongyang is due to make an “important announcement” later on
Tuesday, reported South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.
Pyongyang is due to make an “important announcement” later on
Tuesday, reported South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.
This
is the 11th detected missile launch this year.
is the 11th detected missile launch this year.
North
Korea last test-launched missiles in May. It fired projectiles on two separate
occasions, both towards the Sea of Japan.
Korea last test-launched missiles in May. It fired projectiles on two separate
occasions, both towards the Sea of Japan.
While
Pyongyang has appeared to have made progress, experts believe North Korea does
not have the capability to accurately target a place with an intercontinental
ballistic missile or miniaturise a nuclear warhead that can fit on such a
missile.
Pyongyang has appeared to have made progress, experts believe North Korea does
not have the capability to accurately target a place with an intercontinental
ballistic missile or miniaturise a nuclear warhead that can fit on such a
missile.
Japan’s
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters on Tuesday: “North
Korea’s repeated provocations like this are absolutely unacceptable.”
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters on Tuesday: “North
Korea’s repeated provocations like this are absolutely unacceptable.”
Mr
Abe said Japan would “unite strongly” with the US and South Korea to
put pressure on Pyongyang.
Abe said Japan would “unite strongly” with the US and South Korea to
put pressure on Pyongyang.
He
added that he would call on Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President
Vladimir Putin – who are meeting in Moscow – “to play a more constructive
role”.
added that he would call on Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President
Vladimir Putin – who are meeting in Moscow – “to play a more constructive
role”.
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