A TV screen shows a reporting of North Korea’s unidentified projectile with file footage during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo: AP) North Korea launched an unidentified projectile off its west coast on Tuesday, South Korea’s military said, in what appears to be the latest in a series of weapons tests this year.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the launch in a brief statement but did not provide further details on the type of projectile or its range.
The launch comes weeks after North Korea fired multiple short-range missiles on April 19. At the time, state media said the test was meant to demonstrate cluster bomb warheads.
Officials in Seoul have not said whether the latest launch is linked to those earlier tests.
Stalled diplomacy
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has continued to expand his country’s nuclear and missile programmes since talks with the United States broke down in 2019.
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US President Donald Trump has said he is willing to resume negotiations, but North Korea has not responded to those offers. Pyongyang has instead called on Washington to drop its demand for denuclearisation as a condition for talks.
Kim has also taken a tougher position towards South Korea, describing it as a permanent enemy as tensions rise over the North’s weapons programme.
The latest launch took place hours after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for stronger efforts to improve the country’s military capabilities.
South Korea’s response
Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, Lee stressed the need to invest in advanced defence systems, including artificial intelligence and drones, and raised the possibility of acquiring a nuclear-powered submarine.
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He did not directly refer to North Korea in his remarks but said South Korea must show the “resolve to take responsibility for and protect our own security ourselves”.
He added that such efforts would also strengthen the country’s alliance with the United States.
