Share
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea said Wednesday leader Kim Jong Un supervised a live-fire demonstration of newly developed, short-range ballistic missiles intended to send a warning to the United States and South Korea over their joint military exercises.
Its four rounds of weapons demonstrations in two weeks come during a stalemate in nuclear negotiations and after President Donald Trump repeatedly dismissed the significance of the tests, even though the weapons show North Korea’s ability to strike at U.S. allies South Korea and Japan and its military bases there.
Experts say Trump’s downplaying of the North’s weapons displays allowed the country more room to advance its capabilities and build leverage ahead of negotiations, which could possibly resume sometime after the end of the allies’ drills later this month.
Missiles Similar to Russian-Made Iskander
Lee Sang-min, spokesman from South Korea’s Unification Ministry, said North Korea’s recent testing activity doesn’t help efforts to stabilize peace and called for Pyongyang to uphold an inter-Korean agreement reached last year to form a joint military committee to discuss reducing military tensions. He did not provide a specific answer when asked whether Seoul believes the North’s weapons display will intensify.
In a photo provided by the North Korean government, leader Kim Jong Un, center, visits an airfield in the western area of North Korea to watch its weapons demonstrations. (AP)Pyongyang’s official Rodong Sinmun also published photos showing what appeared to be a missile soaring from a launcher installed on a vehicle and Kim smiling and celebrating with military officials.
KCNA’s report came a day after South Korea’s military said it detected two early morning launches that were likely ballistic missiles.
South Korea’s military had described those missiles as similar to the Russian-made Iskander, a solid-fuel, nuclear-capable missile that is highly maneuverable and travels on low trajectories, improving its chances of evading missile defense systems. Last week, North Korea conducted two test firings of what it described as a new rocket artillery system.
Kim Dong-yub, an analyst at Seoul’s Institute for Far Eastern Studies, said North Korea’s decision to fly the missiles over its capital indicated it was confident about the reliability of the system. Kim, a former South Korean military official who had participated in inter-Korean military talks, said Kim Jong Un is making a measured effort to advance the North’s military capabilities without allowing nuclear negotiations with Washington collapse.
North Korea has denounced Washington and Seoul over their joint military exercises. South Korea confirmed they started Monday but hasn’t given details about the drills, which were expected to involve computer simulations and not troops or equipment.
The North’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday the drills “compelled (North Korea) to develop, test and deploy the powerful physical means essential for national defense.”
RELATED TOPICS:
Anti-Trump Protesters Turn Out to Rallies Across Country
8 hours ago
Thousands Gather in London for Trans Rights Following UK Ruling Over Definition of Woman
10 hours ago
250 Years After America Went to War for Independence, a Divided Nation Battles Over Its Legacy
10 hours ago
Greg Cronin Fired as Coach of Anaheim Ducks After 2 Seasons
11 hours ago
US Small Manufacturers Hope to Benefit From Tariffs, but Some Worry About Uncertainty
11 hours ago
US and Iran Advance Nuclear Talks to Expert Level After Rome Meeting
12 hours ago


Progressive Icon and Ex-US Rep. Barbara Lee Wins Race for Mayor of Oakland

Humanoid Robots Run a Chinese Half-Marathon Alongside Human Competitors

Anti-Trump Protesters Turn Out to Rallies Across Country

Thousands Gather in London for Trans Rights Following UK Ruling Over Definition of Woman

250 Years After America Went to War for Independence, a Divided Nation Battles Over Its Legacy
