North Korea test fires missiles from train carriage
TEST missiles fired by North Korea earlier this week were launched from a train for the first time, Pyongyang disclosed yesterday.
The mobile launch pad was taken into the mountains by the “railway borne missile regiment” and accurately struck a sea target 500 miles away, according to state news agency KCNA.
An official statement boasted that it would “increase the capability for dealing an intensive blow to the menacing forces in many places at the same time”.
Experts say the broad range of firing options could make it harder for intelligence agencies to detect an imminent missile launch.
The launch was North Korea’s second in less than a week, after it fired a cruise missile with nuclear capabilities over
‘This will increase the capability for dealing an intensive blow to menacing forces in many places’
the weekend. It also coincided with South Korea’s successful test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile.
“Enhancing our missile capability is exactly what’s needed as deterrence against North Korea’s provocation,” Moon Jae-in, South Korea’s president, said after the test.
His remarks earned a strong rebuke from Kim Yo-jong, the North Korean leader’s sister, who warned of the “complete destruction” of ties with the South.
Pyongyang’s own missile tests prompted an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the “major threat” posed by North Korea.
Nicolas de Riviere, the French ambassador, said. “Everyone is very concerned about this situation.”
South Korea’s military said the North has been developing a variety of mobile launchers, which can operate from the sea, roads or now from railways.
The British Foreign Office joined the US in condemning the test as “a threat to regional peace and security”.