North Korea fires its first missile of the Trump era

Japanese PM slams the test and US vows to back its ally

SEOUL // North Korea fired a ballistic missile yesterday, drawing a strong response from US president Donald Trump who vowed “100 per cent” support for ally Japan as he appeared with prime minister Shinzo Abe.

The missile, the first test since Mr Trump became president, was launched about 7.55am (22.55 GMT on Saturday) from Banghyon airbase in the western province of North Pyongan, and flew east towards the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea.

It flew 500 kilometres before falling into the sea, a South Korean defence ministry spokesman said. The exact type of missile had yet to be identified, he said.

“Today’s missile launch is aimed at drawing global attention to the North by boasting of its nuclear and missile capabilities,” the South Korean ministry said.

“It is also believed that it was a provocation to test the response from the new US administration under president Trump.” Mr Trump responded with an assurance to the visiting Japanese prime minister that Washington was committed to the security of its key Asian ally.

“I just want everybody to understand and fully know that the United States of America stands behind Japan, its great ally, 100 per cent,” Mr Trump said.

Mr Abe denounced the launch as “absolutely intolerable”, while in Tokyo, top government spokesman Yoshihide Suge said it was “clearly a provocation to Japan and the region”.

North Korea is barred under United Nations resolutions from any use of ballistic missile technology, but six sets of UN sanctions since Pyongyang’s first nuclear test in 2006 have failed to halt its drive for what it insists are defensive weapons.

A South Korean army official ruled out the possibility of a long-range missile test, describing the device as an upgraded version of the North’s shortrange Rodong missile. Seoul- based academic Yang Soo-jin said the latest test was “a celebratory launch” to mark the February 16 birthday of Kim Jong-il, late ruler and father of current leader Kim Jong-un.

Pyongyang often celebrates anniversaries involving leaders with missle launches, said Mr Yang, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies.

‘ I just want everybody to understand and fully know that the US stands behind Japan, its great ally, 100 per cent Donald Trump US president