YONHAP, THE KOREA TIMES (South Korea), AAP (Australia)
SEOUL – North Korea fired its fifth test missile in three straight days on Monday, in the latest series of weapons drills that have been condemned by South Korea and United Nation chief Ban Ki-moon, reports the AAP.
According to the South Korean Defense Ministry, the latest short-range missile was fired into waters off North Korea’s eastern coast.
“North Korea again launched a short-range projectile that appears to be a KN-02 (surface-to-surface) missile,” a ministry official said, according to the Yonhap news agency. “We are closely watching the movements of the North’s military in case of further launches.”
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Monday’s short-range missile, which was fired from a mobile launcher on North Korea’s east coast, flew about 120 kilometers into the Sea of Japan, according to Yonhap.
South Korea condemned the missile drills, reports the Korea Times: “South Korea defines North Korea’s provocative actions as deplorable and calls on the North to act responsibly in the international community,” said Ministry of Unification spokesman Kim Hyung-suk.
The U.S. also criticized the missile drills, with National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden saying “North Korea will achieve nothing by threats or provocations, which only further isolates the DPRK and undermines international efforts to ensure peace and stability in Northeast Asia.”
UN chief Ban Ki-moon has urged Pyongyang to refrain from any further launches, reports the AAP. “It is time for them to resume dialogue and lower the tensions,” said Ban.
