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North Korea 'threatens Japan' with firing of ballistic missiles

North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into waters off its eastern coast on Wednesday afternoon, two days after claiming to have tested a newly developed missile in a resumption of its weapons displays after a six-month lull.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were launched from central North Korea, and Japan’s coast guard said they landed outside its exclusive economic zone in the waters between Japan and the Korean Peninsula.

Seoul said South Korean and US intelligence authorities are analyzing more details about the launches, and the South had boosted its anti-North Korea surveillance.

People watch a TV showing a file image of a North Korean missile launch at the Seoul Railway Station on Wednesday
People watch a TV showing a file image of a North Korean missile launch at the Seoul Railway Station on Wednesday. Source: Getty

Missile firings 'absolutely outrageous': Japan PM

“The firings threaten the peace and safety of Japan and the region and are absolutely outrageous,” Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said.

“The government of Japan is determined to further step up our vigilance and surveillance to be prepared for any contingencies."

Japan’s coast guard said no ships or aircraft reported damage from the missiles.

North Korea said Monday it tested a newly developed cruise missile twice over the weekend. North Korea’s state media described the missile as a “strategic weapon of great significance,” implying it was developed with the intent to carry nuclear warheads.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, picture on September 9. Source: Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is threatening to build high-tech weapons to target the US. Source: Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

According to North Korean accounts, the missile flew about 1500km, a distance putting all of Japan and US military installations there within reach.

Many experts say the weekend tests suggested North Korea is pushing to bolster its weapons arsenal amid a deadlock in nuclear diplomacy between Pyongyang and Washington.

Firings come amid international nuclear negotiations

Wednesday's launches came as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was in Seoul for meetings with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and other senior officials to discuss the stalled nuclear negotiations with the North.

It's unusual for North Korea to make provocative launches when China, its last major ally and biggest aid provider, is engaged in a major diplomatic event.

Moon’s office said Moon told Wang that he appreciates China’s role in the international diplomatic push to resolve the North Korean nuclear standoff and asked for Beijing’s continuing support.

Wang said Beijing will continue to support the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and improved ties between the Koreas, and also called for further development in relations with Seoul.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, left, poses with his South Korean counterpart Chung Eui-yong at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul on Wednesday. Source: Kim Seung-doo/Yonhap via AP)
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, left, poses with his South Korean counterpart Chung Eui-yong at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul on Wednesday. Source: Kim Seung-doo/Yonhap via AP)

Moon’s office said the government plans to hold an unscheduled national security council meeting later on Wednesday.

The talks between the United States and North Korea have stalled since 2019, when the Americans rejected the North’s demand for major sanctions relief in exchange for dismantling an ageing nuclear facility.

Kim’s government has so far threatened to build high-tech weapons targeting the United States and rejected the Biden administration’s overtures for dialogue, demanding that Washington abandon its “hostile” policies first.

North Korea ended a yearlong pause in ballistic tests in March by firing two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea, continuing a tradition of testing new US administrations with weapons demonstrations aimed at measuring Washington’s response and wrestling concessions.

North Korea still maintains a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests, a sign that it may not want to completely scuttle the nuclear negotiations with the United States.

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