North Korea test-fires 2 missiles
SEOUL—Nuclear-armed North Korea conducted two back-to-back tests of a powerful new medium-range missile on Wednesday, with both achieving a significant increase in flight distance over previous failed launches, according to South Korea’s defense ministry.
Both tests were believed to be of a much hyped, intermediaterange Musudan missile capable of reaching US bases as far away as Guam.
International condemnation was swift, with the United States and Japan labeling the launches a clear violation of United Nations resolutions, and South Korea vowing to push for tighter sanctions on North Korea.
Existing UN Security Council measures ban North Korea from any use of ballistic missile technology.
First test
The first test shortly before 6:00 am (2100 GMT Tuesday) was deemed to have failed after reportedly flying around 150 kilometers (90 miles) over the East Sea (Sea of Japan).
The South Korean defense ministry said the second Musudan—fired from the same east coast location two hours later—had flown 400 km.
“South Korea and the United States are conducting further analysis,” the defense ministry said in a statement that stopped short of labeling the second test a success or failure.
Four failed Musudan tests earlier this year all either exploded on the mobile launch pad or shortly after takeoff.
Major step
A successful test would mark a major step forward for a weapons program that ultimately aspires to develop a proven nuclear strike capability against the US mainland.
US Department of State spokesperson John Kirby said the latest launches would only increase global efforts to counter North Korea’s illicit weapons program.
“We intend to raise our concerns at the UN to bolster international resolve in holding (North Korea) accountable for these provocative actions,” Kirby said in a statement.
Stronger sanctions
South Korea’s foreign ministry warned that North Korea would face even stronger sanctions and said the tests underlined “the hypocrisy and deceptiveness” of Pyongyang’s recent offers of military talks with Seoul.