This new shot comes against a background of a new Pyongyang nuclear test, the first since 2017.
Le Monde with AFP
North Korea pulled an unidentified “unidentified” ballistic missile to the Sea of Japan, the South Korean joint staffs announced on Friday October 28 without giving more details.
This shooting comes just after a meeting between the vice-ministers of foreign affairs of the United States, Japan and South Korea who have committed to strengthen their deterrence in the region.
“We have agreed to further strengthen cooperation (…) so that North Korea immediately ends its illegal activities and resumes denuclearization talks,” said South Korean Cho Hyun-Dong during this meeting . “The three countries have agreed on the need for an unprecedented response if North Korea is carrying out its seventh nuclear test,” he told the press.
“Dangerous and destabilizing behaviors”
Seoul and Washington have repeatedly warned that Pyongyang could be about to carry out a new nuclear test, for the first time since 2017, after a series of ballistic missile fire in recent weeks. A missile thus flew over Japan last month, and North Korea said separately having performed tactical nuclear exercises.
“All these behaviors are dangerous and deeply destabilizing,” warned American assistant secretary of state Wendy Sherman, urging North Korea to “refrain from new provocations”.
Tuesday, the North proceeded to approximately 250 shots, according to the South Korean joint staff (JCS), which described this gesture as “manifest violation” of the 2018 agreement, according to Yonhap. This agreement established that year a maritime “buffer zone” intended to prevent tensions.