North Korea launches ballistic missile as US secretary of state visits South
North Korea has fired what appeared to be an intermediate-range ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan, as US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken pays a visit to South Korea.
Pyongyang fired the unknown ballistic missile on Monday, shortly after Blinken met with South Korea’s acting president Choi Sang-mok.
During the meeting, Blinken emphasized his country’s “unwavering” security commitment to South Korea and called for a strong "defensive" stance against North Korea’s so-called provocations.
The US had flown a long-range bomber near North Korea’s airspace during trilateral military drills with Japan and South Korea in early November, drawing condemnation from North Korea.
In response, North Korea fired seven short-range ballistic missiles a day before the US presidential election.
During the same period, North Korea test-fired, according to its military, its most advanced and powerful solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
It also staged GPS jamming attacks on the South in late November, an operation that affected several ships and dozens of civilian aircraft.
Blinken also warned of Pyongyang’s deepening ties with Moscow. He claimed Russia intended to share space and satellite technology with North Korea in exchange for its support for the Ukraine war.
North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military ties in recent years.
A landmark defense pact signed by Pyongyang and Moscow in June came into force last month, with President Vladimir Putin hailing it as a “breakthrough document.”
It obligates both states to provide military assistance “without delay” in the case of an attack on the other and to cooperate internationally to oppose Western sanctions.
North Korea and Russia are under various UN sanctions, and also severe embargoes from the US and its allies.
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