North Korea snubs agreement by firing long-range rockets and raising tensions
NORTH KOREAN state media has said leader Kim Jong-un observed a live-fire drill of longrange multiple rocket launchers and unspecified tactical guided weapons.
It came a day after South Korea’s military detected the North launching several unidentified short-range projectiles into the sea.
Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Mr Kim expressed “great satisfaction” over Saturday’s drills and stressed that his frontline troops should keep a “high alert posture”.
The weapons launches were a likely sign of Pyongyang’s growing frustration at stalled diplomatic talks with Washington meant to provide sanctions relief in return for nuclear disarmament.
They also highlighted the fragility of the detente between the Koreas after a military agreement reached last September vowed to completely cease “all hostile acts”.
South Korea said it was “very concerned” about North Korea’s weapons launches, calling them a violation of the agreements. The statement also urged North Korea to stop acts that raise military tensions
KCNA said Mr Kim had praised the People’s Army for “its excellent operation of modern large-calibre long-range multiple rocket launchers and tactical guided weapons”.