North Korea launches a ballistic missile

This is the 14th round of missile concessions this year in North Korea, and it also comes six days after the new South Korean president receives a five-year mandate.

Through a statement to the media, the South Korean Army said the missile was launched from the Northern capital region and flew to the waters of the eastern coast. In the statement, it said the South Korean Army is monitoring for new weapons North Korea can test.

Meanwhile, Japan's Defence Ministry said North Korea likely launched a ballistic missile, but did not provide more details. Japanese coastal guards called on ships sailing off the coast of Japan to be careful.

Observers have said that the rapid pace of weapons testing from North Korea shows that this state has made progress in missile programmes and is putting pressure on Washington due to the deadlock of negotiations. They say Kim wants to use his nuclear arsenal to gain international recognition of North Korea as a nuclear state, as he believes this could push the United States to ease the economic sanctions it has imposed on Phenjan.

North Korea during this year has tested an intercstinctical ballistic missile, which may have the ability to reach American soil.

Last week, Kim Jong Un showed his most powerful nuclear missiles during a military parade held at Phenjan. During his speech at this parade, he said he would develop his nuclear arsenal “at the fastest possible pace of”, threatening that North Korea could use nuclear weapons if its national interests are threatened. / REL