(Bloomberg) — North Korea test-fired a suspected ballistic missile on Wednesday after warning the United States of the “shocking” consequences of spy planes flying over Pyongyang that it says have violated its airspace.
Most read from Bloomberg
North Korea fired a ballistic missile into waters off its east coast, South Korea’s military commanders said in a brief text message to reporters. The missile appeared to be in the air 20 minutes after launch, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported. This may indicate that North Korea has launched a long-range rocket.
The last time Kim Jong Un’s regime launched ballistic missiles was three weeks ago when the United States fired two short-range rockets in retaliation for joint military exercises with South Korea.
North Korea says it has rigged warplanes to attack US planes
The leader’s powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, reported a day earlier that Pyongyang’s state media would face fines on flights. South Korea said the aerial surveillance plane did not violate North Korean airspace.
Before the recent launch, Pyongyang had launched 19 ballistic missiles so far this year, including three intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to deliver nuclear weapons to the US mainland. It is recalled that the country launched more than 70 ballistic missiles last year.
Kim Jong Un has ignored US calls to return to the long-standing nuclear arms deal. But it is busy modernizing its missile arsenal and conducting system tests to attack South Korea and Japan, which host large US military personnel in the region.
It started when the leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization gathered in Lithuania to hold their annual summit. Leaders from Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand will participate in an effort to raise awareness of security threats in the Asia-Pacific.
(Adds commentary from Japan, NHK report and background on recent events)
Most read from Bloomberg Business Week
©2023 Bloomberg LP