SEOUL: North Korea launched several projectiles including a ballistic missile into the Yellow Sea on Tuesday, South Korea´s military said, the latest in a flurry of tests this year.
Analysts have said that by conducting a series of missile tests in recent months, Pyongyang may be trying to take advantage of eroding international norms to cement its nuclear status. The diplomatically isolated North has also repeatedly shunned efforts by the South Korean government to improve relations, calling Seoul its most “hostile” adversary.
South Korea´s Joint Chiefs of Staff said they had detected the launches of “several projectiles” at around 1:00 pm (0400 GMT) from the North Korean city of Chongju into the Yellow Sea, the body of water separating the Korean peninsula from China.
The launches included a short-range ballistic missile, Seoul´s military said. The missiles flew about 80-kms , the military said, adding that it was analysing their specifications and flight range, and had “strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for possible additional launches”.
Seoul´s foreign ministry spokesperson Park Il said at a regular news briefing that the government once again urges North Korea to respond to their peace policy and efforts to ease tensions.
“As we firmly support nuclear non-proliferation, we will continue our efforts to achieve substantive progress in resolving the North Korean nuclear issue through a step-by-step and pragmatic approach, while adhering to the goal of complete denuclearisation,” he said.
North Korea is subject to multiple United Nations sanctions banning its nuclear weapons development and use of ballistic missile technology, restrictions it has repeatedly flouted.
