North Korea ‘fires ballistic missiles into sea’ in fresh act of defiance

North Korea has fired two medium-range ballistic missiles into the sea in defiance of international calls to curb its military ambitions. The first missile was launched from Sukchon in the south-west of the country on Friday morning and flew 800km before crashing off into the East Sea, also known as Sea of Japan. The second, fired about 20 minutes later, disappeared off radar early into its flight. It comes days after leader Kim Jong-Un promised a series of nuclear warhead tests and missile launches amid surging military tensions.

North Korea appears to be speeding up test launches to advance its nuclear capabilities

South Korea defence ministry spokesman Moon Sang-Gyun

Last week, Pyongyang fired two short-range missiles into the sea off its east coast as North reacted angrily to annual joint military drills by US and South Korean troops. The latest tests came a day after Barack Obama signed an order implementing tough sanctions adopted earlier this month against North Korea by the UN Security Council, as well as fresh unilateral US measures. Both missiles were believed to be medium-range Rodong missiles fired from road-mobile launch vehicles. Existing UN sanctions ban North Korea from the use of any ballistic missile test, although short-range launches tend to go unpunished.

Japan strongly demands North Korea to exercise self-restraint and will take all necessary measures, such as warning and surveillance activity, to be able to respond to any situations.

Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe

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