What you need to know about Korea’s missile tests
North and South Korea had both launched ballistic missile tests on Wednesday which highlighted a heated arms race with both nations unveiling its missile capabilities.
CAPE TOWN, September 16 (ANA) – North and South Korea both launched ballistic missile tests on Wednesday highlighting a heated arms race.
South Korea’s tests came hours after the North had fired two missiles across the east coast. According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), South Korean President Moon Jae-in said the test had been planned well before, and was not a response to Pyongyang.
South Korea’s tests marks the first non-nuclear country to develop a submarine-launched ballistic missile technology.
“North Korea provoked today by launching ballistic missiles,” said Moon Jae-in.
“I believe that our submarine-launched ballistic missile can be a very effective deterrent to cope with this asymmetric force from North Korea,” he said.
The BBC reported that the tests followed South Korea’s talks with China while the North’s discussions with the United States remained stalled.
U.S officials have suggested North Korea dismantle its nuclear and missile programmes in exchange for sanctions relief, however, they’ve continued to develop its weapons and carry out tests.
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council considered the missile tests by North Korea as a “major threat” and met for an emergency closed door meeting.
According to Al Jazeera, France’s ambassador to the UN, Nicolas de Riviere, said everyone is concerned about the situation and that it is a threat to peace and security.
“It’s a clear violation of the Council’s resolutions,” said Riviere.
He added that the missiles had fallen “within Japan’s exclusive economic zone”, with both South Korea and Japanese authorities saying they had detected the missiles days after the North had tested a long-range cruise missile which reportedly has nuclear capabilities.
– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa