North Korea: US condemns long-range ballistic missile launch

SMA NEWS – SEOUL
North Korea launched another long-range ballistic missile with the potential capability of striking the US, Seoul and Tokyo, officials have said.
The latest launch, on Monday, has extended an already record-breaking number of weapons tests this year.
North Korea used a solid-fuel-based intercontinental ballistic missile.
South Korea’s military condemned what it called North Korea’s reckless provocations, adding Pyongyang would be held responsible for any consequences from its actions.
“North Korea was strongly condemned for posing a serious threat to the peace and safety of the Korean peninsula and the international community by launching a solid-fuelled ICBM,” it said after an emergency National Security Council meeting.
The US reaffirmed its commitment to the defence of Japan and South Korea after the ballistic missile launch, the White House said late on Sunday.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan spoke with South Korea’s National Security Office director Cho Taeyong and Gen Akiba Takeo of Japan and condemned the test, “which is a flagrant violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions”, the White House said.
The firing followed the test of a shorter-range missile on Sunday night, with the back-to-back launches coming immediately in the wake of another bout between North Korea and the US-South Korean allies.
South Korea’s military said it detected the launch of a long-range ballistic missile from the Pyongyang area on Monday morning, adding that it flew 1,000km before splashing down in the East Sea.