North Korea increases tensions with its 3rd missile test in 8 days

NORTH Korea fired missiles for the third time in eight days yesterday, a series of launches that analysts say are designed to improve military capabilities and pressure the United States and South Korea as they seek to restart denuclearisation talks.

US President Donald Trump, who has been hoping to revive the stalled talks with North Korea, played down the launches. The North has been testing missiles despite Trump’s June 30 meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, where they agreed to revive the talks.

South Korea’s government said the latest projectiles fired by the North appeared to be new short-range ballistic missiles.

The missiles flew 220km and reached an altitude of 25km, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) in Seoul said. A US official said US intelligence had detected at least one projectile, and possibly more, that did not pose a threat to North America.

US officials said initial information indicated they were similar to two other short-range missile tests by Pyongyang since last week. North Korean state media said Mr Kim oversaw the firing of what it described as a new large-calibre, multiplelaunch guided rocket system on Wednesday. He also observed the launch of a short-range ballistic missile last week.

The launches appear to be intended to put pressure on South Korea and the United States to stop planned military exercises later this month and offer other concessions.