North Korea sends two more ballistic missiles off its east coast
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Seoul: North Korea on Monday launched two more ballistic missiles into its Pacific firing range off its east coast. Analysts think it could be a warning that North Korea plans to fire more missiles in the direction of the U.S. territory of Guam.
After Monday's launch, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un - Kim Yo Jong - said the use of North Korea's missiles will depend on the behaviour of U.S. forces, reported Reuters. She also warned against the increased presence of US strategic military assets. "The frequency of using the Pacific as our firing range depends upon the U.S. forces' action character."
They reached maximum altitudes of about 100 km and 50 km, said Japan's defence ministry. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he had requested an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting over the tests.
North Korea's state media KCNA state news agency confirmed that the government fired two projectiles from a multiple rocket launcher, aiming at targets 395 km (245 miles) and 337 km (209 miles) away. "The 600 mm multiple rocket launcher mobilised in the firing ... is a means of a tactical nuclear weapon," capable of "paralysing" an enemy airfield."
South Korea also condemned the launches and called it a "grave provocation". The military said it should be stopped immediately. President Yoon Suk-yeol's office said a National Security Council meeting was held to review the tests and discuss countermeasures. The foreign ministry has quickly announced sanctions on four individuals and five entities linked to North Korea's weapons programmes. It is the fastest such response.
South Korea said its nuclear envoy spoke with his US and Japanese counterparts. They agreed that North Korea's provocations cannot be justified and it will face "consequences of self-indulgence".
It comes just two days after firing an intercontinental ballistic missile into the sea off Japan's west coast. The US retaliated by holding two joint air exercises separately with South Korea and Japan.
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric urged Pyongyang to stop provocations banned under Security Council resolutions. The chances of the UN imposing sanctions on North Korea are slim because, in previous instances, China and Russia vetoed the attempts.