This content was first published by Radio Free Asia, and it is now being reprinted with permission.
North Korea tested what it was thought to be several short-range ballistic missiles off its west coast on Tuesday, according to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, less than a week before Donald Trump is sworn in for his second term as president.
The North Korean government said it detected the start, the North’s following missile test this time, from the Ganggye place in the North’s Jagang state, the news agency reported, citing the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, or JCS.
The missiles flew up to 250 kilometers ( 155 miles ) before falling into the sea, Reuters cited the South Korean military as saying.
Our military strengthened its monitoring and vigilance in preparation for additional launches, while attentively sharing information about the North Korean missile with the U.S. and Japanese sides and upholding a full readiness posture, according to the JCS.
As retiring U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in the North Korean capital for conversations, North Korea tested a suspected mid-range ballistic missile on January 6.
Addressing North Korea’s growth of missiles and nuclear weapons in contravention of U. N. proposals, and its animosity towards the United States and its allies including South Korea, is a major concern for all U. S. services.
Blinken, in his talks in Seoul with Acting President Choi Sang-mok, next year stressed an “unwavering” U. S. security devotion to South Korea and said their empire remained “more necessary than ever”.
Choi denounced the latest check, saying it was a clear violation of U. N. Security Council commitments, Yonghap reported. He promised a robust response based on the alliance between his nation and the United States.
Trump, who did take office on Monday, spearheaded an extraordinary political campaign against North Korea during his first year in office, meeting with leader Kim Jong Un three days but failing to advance in his efforts to get him to stop using his missile and nuclear arsenal.
Trump mentioned his relationship with North Korea in his plan, suggesting that he might want to revive the initiative.
