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North Korea has launched a ballistic missile into eastern waters, South Korean and Japanese officials said on May 4. The announcement comes days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to strengthen its nuclear arsenal “at the fastest possible pace” and threatened to use nuclear weapons against rivals.
This is the 14th round of missile launches this year in North Korea and also comes six days after South Korea’s new president takes office for a five-year term.
Through a press release, the South Korean military said the missile was launched from the North Capital region and flew to the waters of the east coast. The statement said the South Korean military is monitoring new weapons that North Korea could test.
Japan’s Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said North Korea likely launched a ballistic missile, but gave no further details. The Japanese Coast Guard has called on ships sailing off the Japanese coast to be careful.
Observers have said that the rapid pace of arms testing by North Korea indicates that the country has made progress in missile programs and is putting pressure on Washington, due to the stalemate in negotiations. They say Kim wants to use his nuclear arsenal to gain international recognition for North Korea as a nuclear power, as he believes it could push the United States to ease economic sanctions on Pyongyang.
North Korea this year tested an intercontinental ballistic missile that could have the capability to reach US soil.
Last week, Kim Jong Un unveiled his most powerful nuclear missiles during a military parade held in Pyongyang. Speaking at the parade, he said he would develop his nuclear arsenal “at the fastest possible pace”, threatening that North Korea could use nuclear weapons if its national interests were threatened.
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