The DPRK launched a ballistic missile towards the east coast of the Korean Peninsula early on Sunday, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported citing the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
This is the first such launch Pyongyang carried out this year – just a few weeks after Donald Trump took office as the US president and only days away from Washington’s warning of an “overwhelming” response if the DPRK uses nuclear weapons.
The missile was fired from Banghyon air base in the western province of North Pyongan Province at around 7:55 am, according to the JCS.
File photo of DPRK firing a ballistic missile in 2016. /CFP Photo
It flew about 500 kilometers before falling into the sea, said a defense ministry spokesman.
South Korean military said it does not appear to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
In his New Year address, DPRK leader Kim Jong Un raised concerns after announcing that his country was in the closing phase of preparation to test fire an ICBM.
The launch was also confirmed by the US.
CGTN report
A White House official said that they have detected the launch, and that President Donald Trump has been briefed about it.
“We are continuing to closely monitor the situation,” said the official.
Tokyo is also following up on the situation.
Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada said that Japan was making every effort to gather information and monitor the situation.
Last year, the DPRK conducted a series of nuclear tests and missile launches, drawing international condemnation and more sanctions.
South Korea’s acting president and prime minister Hwang Kyo-ahn was cited by Yonhap as saying Seoul is doing its best to carry out a “corresponding” response to punish Pyongyang for the launch.
File photo of DPRK leader Kim Jong Un inspecting military training. /CFP Photo
Meanwhile, South Korea’s defense ministry said the launch was aimed at testing the response of the new US administration under President Donald Trump.
Last week, the new US Defense Secretary James Mattis warned Pyongyang during his visit to South Korea, saying that any nuclear attack on the US or its allies would be met with “effective and overwhelming” response, and confirming Washington’s commitment to Seoul’s security.
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