Outcry as North Korea fires missiles

Clutch of countries condemns four launches that landed in Japanese waters

SEOUL // North Korea yesterday fired four banned ballistic missiles that flew about 1,000 kilometres, South Korean and Japanese officials said.

Three of the missiles landed in waters that Japan claims as its exclusive economic zone.

The test launches appeared to be a reaction to huge US-South Korean military manoeuvres that those countries consider routine but that Pyongyang insists are an invasion rehearsal. Washington condemned the launches, saying it was ready to “use the full range of capabilities at our disposal against this growing threat”.

The exact type of missiles fired was not clear but the tests will be viewed as a provocation by US president Donald Trump’s administration, which is working on its policy for North Korea.

The New York Times reported at the weekend that the US cannot counter Pyongyang’s actions despite efforts to perfect cyber and electronic strikes against its missile programme.

Pyongyang has test-launched a series of missiles in recent months, including a new intermediate- range missile in February. It also conducted two nuclear tests last year. The ramped- up tests come as leader Kim Jong-un pushes for a nuclear and missile programme that can deter what he calls US and South Korean hostility toward the North.

There have been widespread worries that the North will conduct an intercontinental ballistic missile test that, when perfected, could in theory reach the US mainland. Washington would consider such a capability a major threat.

US national security adviser H R McMaster and his South Korean counterpart Kim Kwanjin condemned the launches and agreed to boost cooperation to bring about more effective sanctions against the North, according to South Korea’s presidential office. Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe said three missiles landed in the 200-mile offshore area where Tokyo has sovereign rights for exploiting resources. He said a fourth missile fell “near” Japan’s exclusive zone.

France condemned the tests and said it would consult UN Security Council members on the issue, while Russia expressed grave concern.

“We are seriously worried – these are the sort of actions that lead to a rise in tension in the region and of course in this situation, traditionally, Moscow calls for restraint from all sides,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

US state department spokesman Mark Toner said: “We will continue to take steps to increase our readiness, to defend ourselves and our allies from attack, and are prepared to use the full range of capabilities at our disposal against this growing threat.” Seoul and Washington call their military drills on the Korean Peninsula defensive and routine.

The North opposes the drills, which run until late April.