This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-63153903
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| North Korea carries out sixth missile launch in two weeks | North Korea carries out sixth missile launch in two weeks |
| (4 months later) | |
| South Koreans woke up to the news that North Korea had fired two more short-range ballistic missiles | South Koreans woke up to the news that North Korea had fired two more short-range ballistic missiles |
| North Korea fired another two ballistic missiles on Thursday - the sixth such banned launch in less than two weeks. | North Korea fired another two ballistic missiles on Thursday - the sixth such banned launch in less than two weeks. |
| Pyongyang on Wednesday described its recent blitz as "just counteraction measures" to joint US and South Korean military drills. | Pyongyang on Wednesday described its recent blitz as "just counteraction measures" to joint US and South Korean military drills. |
| On Tuesday Pyongyang fired a missile over Japan, prompting the US to call an emergency UN Security Council meeting. | On Tuesday Pyongyang fired a missile over Japan, prompting the US to call an emergency UN Security Council meeting. |
| At the meeting the US accused Russia and China of protecting the North from stronger sanctions. | At the meeting the US accused Russia and China of protecting the North from stronger sanctions. |
| By opposing further sanctions Moscow and Beijing had given Pyongyang "blanket protection", the US ambassador to the UN said. The Chinese and Russian representatives said increased dialogue was better than punishment. | By opposing further sanctions Moscow and Beijing had given Pyongyang "blanket protection", the US ambassador to the UN said. The Chinese and Russian representatives said increased dialogue was better than punishment. |
| For the past two months the US, South Korea and Japan have been holding a series of combined exercises as they practice how to defeat and deter a North Korean attack. These drills have antagonised North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who sees them as proof his enemies are preparing for war. | For the past two months the US, South Korea and Japan have been holding a series of combined exercises as they practice how to defeat and deter a North Korean attack. These drills have antagonised North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who sees them as proof his enemies are preparing for war. |
| In its statement the North accused the US of "escalating the military tensions on the Korean peninsula". | In its statement the North accused the US of "escalating the military tensions on the Korean peninsula". |
| On Wednesday the US, Japan and South Korea carried out further drills, which they said were a response to Tuesday's launch. The US said there was "no equivalency" between a banned missile test-fire and security drills. | On Wednesday the US, Japan and South Korea carried out further drills, which they said were a response to Tuesday's launch. The US said there was "no equivalency" between a banned missile test-fire and security drills. |
| The US also redeployed its aircraft carrier the USS Ronald Reagan near the Korean peninsula. | The US also redeployed its aircraft carrier the USS Ronald Reagan near the Korean peninsula. |
| As the Security Council wrapped up a meeting on North Korea's dangerous ballistic missile launches, we learned that Pyongyang launched two more missiles.Make no mistake: the two Council members that are blocking us from taking action are enabling North Korea. | As the Security Council wrapped up a meeting on North Korea's dangerous ballistic missile launches, we learned that Pyongyang launched two more missiles.Make no mistake: the two Council members that are blocking us from taking action are enabling North Korea. |
| South Korea and Japan said the first of Thursday's missiles, launched at about 06:00 local time (21:00 GMT) flew about 350km (217 miles) with a maximum altitude of around 100km, while the second missile had a flight range of about 800km at an altitude of around 50km. | South Korea and Japan said the first of Thursday's missiles, launched at about 06:00 local time (21:00 GMT) flew about 350km (217 miles) with a maximum altitude of around 100km, while the second missile had a flight range of about 800km at an altitude of around 50km. |
| The recent flurry of launches is strongly reminiscent of the period leading up to its last nuclear weapon test in 2017. | The recent flurry of launches is strongly reminiscent of the period leading up to its last nuclear weapon test in 2017. |
| Back then, as is happening now, the North tested missiles, there was no dialogue with the US, and Pyongyang fired two missiles over Japan. | Back then, as is happening now, the North tested missiles, there was no dialogue with the US, and Pyongyang fired two missiles over Japan. |
| Wargaming a North Korean attack | Wargaming a North Korean attack |
| What are North Korea's nuclear capabilities? | What are North Korea's nuclear capabilities? |
| Satellite imagery shows that the North has been restoring tunnels at their nuclear testing site, which they had claimed to have destroyed in 2018 during a short-lived diplomatic rapprochement with the US under President Trump. | Satellite imagery shows that the North has been restoring tunnels at their nuclear testing site, which they had claimed to have destroyed in 2018 during a short-lived diplomatic rapprochement with the US under President Trump. |
| Last month, North Korea also revised its nuclear laws, with leader Kim Jong Un declaring his country an "irreversible" nuclear power. | Last month, North Korea also revised its nuclear laws, with leader Kim Jong Un declaring his country an "irreversible" nuclear power. |
| With everything in place, Kim appears to be waiting for a politically opportune moment to carry out its seventh nuclear test. | With everything in place, Kim appears to be waiting for a politically opportune moment to carry out its seventh nuclear test. |
| Analysts believe a test is most likely to happen during the window of three weeks between the Communist Party Congress in China later this month and the US mid-term elections in early November. | Analysts believe a test is most likely to happen during the window of three weeks between the Communist Party Congress in China later this month and the US mid-term elections in early November. |
| North Korea's recent launches | North Korea's recent launches |
| Sunday 25 September: A short-range missile fired the day after a US naval carrier arrived in waters around the Korean peninsula. 600km distance/60km altitude | Sunday 25 September: A short-range missile fired the day after a US naval carrier arrived in waters around the Korean peninsula. 600km distance/60km altitude |
| Wednesday 28 September: Two short-range missiles fired on the eve of US Vice President Kamala Harris' visit to Seoul and the DMZ. 360km distance/30km altitude | Wednesday 28 September: Two short-range missiles fired on the eve of US Vice President Kamala Harris' visit to Seoul and the DMZ. 360km distance/30km altitude |
| Thursday 29 September: Two short-range missiles after Harris departed South Korea. 300km distance/50km altitude | Thursday 29 September: Two short-range missiles after Harris departed South Korea. 300km distance/50km altitude |
| Saturday 1 October: Two short-range missiles fired amid continuing US-South Korea-Japan drills. 400km distance/50km altitude | Saturday 1 October: Two short-range missiles fired amid continuing US-South Korea-Japan drills. 400km distance/50km altitude |
| Tuesday 4 October: An intermediate-range ballistic missile fired over Japan. 4,500km distance/2,800km altitude | Tuesday 4 October: An intermediate-range ballistic missile fired over Japan. 4,500km distance/2,800km altitude |
| Thursday 6 October: Two more short-range missiles fired. 800km distance/50km altitude | Thursday 6 October: Two more short-range missiles fired. 800km distance/50km altitude |
| Related Topics | |
| North Korea weapons programme | |
| North Korea missile tests | |
| North Korea |