DID U.S. SABOTAGE KOREA’S MISSILE LAUNCH?
NORTH Korea was condemned as an ongoing threat to world peace last night despite its botched attempt to launch a ballistic missile.
That failed attempt, it was claimed, may even have been due to a US cyber attack.
With the pariah state accused of further sabre-rattling, security experts confirmed it had launched a long-range missile which exploded seconds after take off.
The US Pacific Command said it had detected and tracked the ballistic missile, but added that it had blown up “almost immediately”.
The details were later confirmed by the South Korean defence ministry which said the country attempted to test an unidentified type of missile from its eastern port of Sinpo, before adding that the launch on Sunday had “failed”.
It comes at a time of growing tensions in the region and fears of an all-out war.
US President Donald Trump has ordered an “armada” to the area prompting North Korea to hit back with threats of “catastrophic consequences” over the move.
Yesterday former Conservative foreign secretary Sir Malcom Rifkind said it was possible that the missile had been sabotaged by a US cyber attack.
Sir Malcom said: “It could have failed because the system is not competent enough to make it work, but there is a very strong belief that the US, through cyber methods, has been successful on several occasions in interrupting these sorts of tests and making them fail.”
The attempted launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile was strongly attacked by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson who tweeted: “They must stop these belligerent acts and comply with UN resolutions.”
In a statement, the US military said: “US Pacific Command detected and tracked what we assess was a North Korean missile launch at 11.21am.
“The launch of the ballistic missile occurred near Sinpo.
“The missile blew up almost immediately. The type of missile is still being assessed.”
Concerned
But the failed launch, a huge embarrassment for leader Kim Jong-un, further stoked mounting tensions in the region and fears of an all-out nuclear war.
It was widely condemned by political leaders around the world. South Korea’s foreign ministry said: “North Korea showing a variety of offensive missiles at yesterday’s military parade and daring to fire a ballistic missile today is a show of force that threatens the whole world.”
US defence secretary James Mattis said President Trump was “aware” of the launch but had no further comment.
In the UK, the Foreign Office said it was “concerned” by reports of the missile test and was monitoring the situation closely.
The attempted missile launch came after Pyongyang put on a huge show of military strength on Saturday for the country’s Day Of The Sun celebrations to mark the 105th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il-sung, founder and former president of North Korea.
They have increased concerns that the secretive state is preparing for a possible attack on Washington.
The rogue state has already conducted five nuclear tests and a series of other missile launches in contravention of UN resolutions.