North Korea test-fires missiles in ‘threat to peace and safety in the region’

TV screens show a news report about North Korea’s missiles launch with file footage at an electronic shop in Seoul, South Korea
AP
Michael Howie25 March 2021

North Korea test-fired its first ballistic missiles since President Joe Biden took office on Thursday as it ramps up its military and attempts to increase pressure on Washington over stalled nuclear negotiations.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said the launches threaten "peace and safety in Japan and the region" and that Tokyo would closely coordinate with Washington and Seoul about the North's testing activities.

South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong, after meeting his Russian counterpart in Seoul, expressed "deep concern" over the launches and urged the North to uphold its commitments for peace. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for a swift resumption of dialogue to resolve the stand-off with North Korea.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were fired at around 7.06am and 7.25am, local time, from an area on the North's eastern coast. They flew 279 miles on an apogee of 37 miles before landing in the sea.

US Indo-Pacific Command spokesman, Captain Mike Kafka, said the US military was aware of the missiles and was monitoring the situation while closely consulting with allies.

"This activity highlights the threat that North Korea's illicit weapons programme poses to its neighbours and the international community," Capt Kafka said.

The launches came a day after US and South Korean officials said the North fired short-range weapons presumed to be cruise missiles into its western sea over the weekend.

Kim Yo Jong, Kim Yong Nam
Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jung, warned Washington last week to ‘refrain from causing a stink’
AP

North Korea has a history of testing new US administrations with missile launches and other provocations aimed at forcing the Americans back to the negotiating table.

Negotiations over the North's nuclear programme faltered after the collapse of Kim Jong-un's second summit with former President Donald Trump in February 2019, when the US rejected North Korean demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of their nuclear capabilities.

The North has so far ignored the Biden administration's efforts to engage, saying it will not take part in meaningful talks unless Washington abandons its "hostile" policies.

Mr Kim's powerful sister last week berated the US over its latest round of combined military exercises with South Korea that ended earlier this month. Kim Yo-jong described the drills as an invasion rehearsal and warned Washington to "refrain from causing a stink" if it wants to "sleep in peace" for the next four years.

Just hours after Thursday's launches, South Korea Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong was to meet with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Seoul for discussions on North Korea and other regional issues.

South Korea's presidential office said it would hold an emergency National Security Council meeting to discuss the launches.

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