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North Korea carries out new ballistic missile test | North Korea carries out new ballistic missile test |
(about 3 hours later) | |
North Korea has carried out another ballistic missile test days after a new president took office in the South. | |
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. | |
A series of North Korean missile tests this year has sparked international alarm and raised tensions with the US. | |
Two missile launches last month both failed, with the rockets exploding just minutes into flight. | Two missile launches last month both failed, with the rockets exploding just minutes into flight. |
After hosting an emergency meeting of his security council, Mr Moon condemned the latest launch. | |
"The president 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," his spokesman said. | |
The nature of the launch is still being determined. The Japanese defence minister said it reached an altitude of 2,000km (1,245 miles) and could be a new type of missile, Reuters reported. | |
The US Pacific Command said in a statement the type was being assessed but that its flight was not consistent with that of an intercontinental ballistic missile [ICBM], which would have the range to reach the US mainland. | |
North Korea is believed to be developing two types of ICBM, but neither has so far been flight tested. | North Korea is believed to be developing two types of ICBM, but neither has so far been flight tested. |
There has been no comment yet from North Korea, or China, the country's only major ally. | |
Cuban echoes, by the BBC's Korea correspondent Stephen Evans | Cuban echoes, by the BBC's Korea correspondent Stephen Evans |
The North Korean situation has been likened to the Cuban missile crisis in slow motion. | The North Korean situation has been likened to the Cuban missile crisis in slow motion. |
In October 1962, aerial pictures showed that the Soviet Union was building a missile base on Cuba, just off the coast of Florida. | In October 1962, aerial pictures showed that the Soviet Union was building a missile base on Cuba, just off the coast of Florida. |
President Kennedy said he would not accept that. It was what would now be called a "red line". In the face of a credible threat of war, the Soviet leader Khrushchev backed down. | President Kennedy said he would not accept that. It was what would now be called a "red line". In the face of a credible threat of war, the Soviet leader Khrushchev backed down. |
It is not clear where Mr Trump's red line is or whether he could enforce it short of a truly devastating war, possibly with China drawn in. | It is not clear where Mr Trump's red line is or whether he could enforce it short of a truly devastating war, possibly with China drawn in. |
He has said that North Korean missiles capable of hitting the US mainland "won't happen". Recently, he has mentioned talking to Kim Jong-un but also warned that North Korea risks a "major, major conflict". | He has said that North Korean missiles capable of hitting the US mainland "won't happen". Recently, he has mentioned talking to Kim Jong-un but also warned that North Korea risks a "major, major conflict". |
There is also a new president in Seoul keen on dialogue. As the missile tests continue, it is not clear when or if Washington would decide on military action - or whether Seoul would try to block it. | There is also a new president in Seoul keen on dialogue. As the missile tests continue, it is not clear when or if Washington would decide on military action - or whether Seoul would try to block it. |
The North has conducted five nuclear tests despite UN sanctions and is also developing long-range missiles. | The North has conducted five nuclear tests despite UN sanctions and is also developing long-range missiles. |
It is reported to be continuing efforts to miniaturise nuclear warheads and fit them on missiles capable of reaching the US. | It is reported to be continuing efforts to miniaturise nuclear warheads and fit them on missiles capable of reaching the US. |
Washington has accused other UN Security Council members of not fully enforcing existing sanctions against the North, and has urged China in particular to use its trade links as influence. | Washington has accused other UN Security Council members of not fully enforcing existing sanctions against the North, and has urged China in particular to use its trade links as influence. |
But despite poor relations, North Korea recently said it would hold talks with the US "if the conditions were right". | But despite poor relations, North Korea recently said it would hold talks with the US "if the conditions were right". |
The comments, by a senior North Korean diplomat, came after US President Donald Trump said he would be "honoured" to meet the North's leader, Kim Jong-un. | The comments, by a senior North Korean diplomat, came after US President Donald Trump said he would be "honoured" to meet the North's leader, Kim Jong-un. |