[EPA / Yonhap]
North Korea fired several short-range cruise missiles into the sea Thursday in a show of its capability to launch various types of missiles or launch a precision strike at US strike groups involved in joint drills with South Korean warships, military authorities in Seoul said.
The surface-to-ship cruise missiles launched from a base near the northeastern port of Wonsan flew some 200 kilometers (124 miles) at a maximum altitude of two km, according to the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
US and South Korean surveillance equipment spotted "several" missiles at around 6:18 am (2118 GMT), JCS spokesman Roh Jae-cheon told reporters, accusing the North of showing off its capability to fire various types of missiles and launch a precision strike at a US aircraft carrier strike group. "Or, it is designed to gain the upper hand in relations with the United States and South Korea."
The exercise came after the nuclear-armed country rejected a fresh round of tough
UN sanctions. It was the North's fifth missile test since a new government took office in Seoul.
North Korea test-fired a new medium-range ballistic missile called "Pukguksong-2" on May 21. Eight days later, a suspected Scud missile flew about 450 kilometers (279 miles) before landing in the sea between the Korean peninsula and Japan.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in chaired a high-level security session of the National Security Council and warned that Pyongyang would only see further isolation and international sanctions from its missile provocations.
"The only thing North Korea can gain from provocations will be international isolation and economic difficulties.It will lose its opportunity for development," he was quoted as saying. "We will never budge or compromise on matters related to national security and the safety of our people."
Moon, who took office on May 10, has urged Pyongyang to create a favorable environment for cross-border dialogue by ceasing provocations. In response, Pyongyang has vowed to push ahead with its missile development, scoffing at international sanctions and diplomatic pressure.
Pyongyang rejected a new UN Security Council resolution to sanction more North Korean officials and entities. "No matter what others say, whatever sanctions and pressure may follow, we will not flinch from the road to build up nuclear forces," the North's foreign ministry said in a statement published on Sunday.
Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
