North Korea has carried out another ballistic missile test today, days after a new President took office in South Korea.
Pentagon has confirmed that the missile was launched near north-western Kusong, flying hundreds of miles then landing in the Sea of Japan. It puts immediate pressure on South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in, who campaigned on a platform of better engagement with the North Korea.
After hosting an emergency meeting of his security council, Mr. Moon condemned the latest launch as a provocation. He said while South Korea remains open to the possibility of dialogue with North Korea, it is only possible when the North shows a change in attitude.
The US has described the missile test as a provocative behaviour and called for stronger sanctions against Pyongyang. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said in a statement that let this latest provocation serve as a call for all nations to implement far stronger sanctions against North Korea.
A series of North Korean missile tests this year has sparked international alarm and raised tensions with the US.
