PYONGYANG (NORTH KOREA): North Korea launched a ballistic missile last week, that flew longer than any of its previous missiles and landed in the ocean of Japan. Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said officials were analysing whether it was a second test of an intercontinental ballistic missile. The latest is the 14th test to be carried out by Kim Jong Un's government this year.
Suga said the missile flew for about 45 minutes, five minutes longer than the previous one, and landed on the island of Hokkaido. He said it landed in the sea in Japan's exclusive economic zone- not within Japan's territorial waters. Suga said they have lodged a strong protest with North Korea. "North Korea's repeated provocative acts absolutely cannot be accepted," he said. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the launch a "serious and real threat" to the security of Japan, saying it would cooperate closely with the US, South Korea and other nations to further step up pressure on North Korea.
The launch was confirmed by the US and South Korea. Pentagon spokesman navy Captain Jeff Davis said, "We are assessing and will have more information soon." Joint chiefs of staff, South Korea, said the missile was launched from North Korea's northern Jagang province near the border with China. President Moon Jae-in was presiding over an emergency meeting of the National Security Council, Moon's office said.
Data indicates the missile was fired at a sharply lofted angle but packed more power than a missile launched earlier last month that US and South Korean officials said was an ICBM, potentially capable of hitting the mainland US. The North conducted its fourth and fifth nuclear test last year and has engaged in an unprecedented pace of missile development that experts said significantly advanced its ability to launch longer-range ballistic missiles. "By threatening the world, these weapons and tests further isolate North Korea, weaken its economy, and deprive its people," Donald Trump said in a statement. "The United States will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and protect our allies in the region."
