North Korea Test-Fires Suspected Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile
South Korea Threatens Retaliatory Strikes
Leaders of North and South Korea Meet for First Time in Over a Decade
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea's defense minister on Friday threatened massive retaliatory missile strikes on the heart and head of North Korea if it attacked the South.
The threat came after North Korea test-fired a suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile toward waters off its eastern coast. The launch came just days after the leaders of North and South Korea met for the first time in over a decade.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has taken a tough line with the nuclear-armed North while improving ties with the US. North Korea has been increasing its missile testing in recent months, and the latest launch is seen as a sign that the regime is not interested in giving up its nuclear weapons program.
In a statement, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile was fired from the Sunan area near Pyongyang, the North Korean capital. The missile flew about 400 kilometers (250 miles) before landing in the sea.
The launch is the first by North Korea since May, when it fired a short-range ballistic missile. It is also the first test of an intermediate-range missile since 2017.
The US condemned the launch, saying it violated UN Security Council resolutions. The US also called on North Korea to refrain from further provocations and to engage in dialogue.
The latest missile test is a reminder of the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear weapons program. The regime has made it clear that it is not willing to give up its nuclear weapons, and it is likely to continue to test and develop its missiles in the years to come.
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