South Korea’s military said on Tuesday that North Korea had fired a suspected ballistic missile towards the east, just days before world leaders meet in South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
NHK quoted government sources as saying “no impact on Japan due to North Korean missile”.
An “unidentified” ballistic missile was fired eastward Wednesday morning, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a text message to Bloomberg.
According to the Associated Press, North Korea usually tests missiles in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, causing no damage in neighboring countries.
But a statement from the Joint Chiefs of Staff said the latest missile was launched in an easterly direction.
It was said to be North Korea’s first weapons test in about five months. The launch is the first of its kind by the nuclear-armed North since South Korean President Lee Jae-myung took office in June.
North Korea’s last known missile launch was in May, when it fired several short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast.
Was it a longer range missile?
About 20 minutes after launch, there was no indication that the missile had landed, suggesting it might be a longer-range missile.
But a brief statement from South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff did not give any other details, such as how far the weapon flew. Details, including the type of bullet, were not immediately available.
The launch was reported just days before South Korea hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference. US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and other world leaders are expected to meet in the South Korean city of Gyeongju next week for talks.
Earlier, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a military parade in Pyongyang that showcased the latest Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile and a day after Sanae Takaichi made history by becoming Japan’s first female prime minister.
Why did North Korea launch a missile?
Experts previously said North Korea could launch provocative missile tests before or during the APEC summit to underscore its commitment to nuclear weapons state status, the AP reported.
Earlier this month, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un showed off a new long-range missile at a massive military parade in Pyongyang attended by top Chinese, Russian and other leaders.
The parade, which marked the 80th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party, highlighted Kim’s growing diplomatic stature and his relentless drive to build an arsenal that could target the continental United States and its rivals in Asia.
Kim’s diplomatic accreditation was recently strengthened. He took center stage with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a military parade in Beijing last month.
US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung have also repeatedly expressed hope to meet Kim as he flaunts a provocative nuclear program.
Trump has said he hopes to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again, possibly this year.
Pyongyang has said Kim is open to future talks – with the caveat that he will not agree to give up his nuclear arsenal.
(With input from agencies)
