North Korea fires sixth ballistic missile in twelve days

Picture Courtesy: EPA

According tor reports, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missile toward its east coast in the direction of Japan, after joint South Korean and US missile drills and the return of a US aircraft carrier to the region in response to the North’s recent missile tests.

This is the sixth launch by North Korea in the last twelve days. The launch was reported by South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff and the Japanese government.

The Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida told reporters, “This is the sixth time in the short period just counting the ones from the end of September. This absolutely cannot be tolerated.”

In a statement released by the reclusive nation’s foreign ministry, North Korea condemned Washington for repositioning a US aircraft carrier in the waters off the Korean peninsula, saying it posed a serious threat to the stability of the situation.

The US accused China and Russia on Wednesday of enabling North Korean leader Kim Jong-un by blocking attempts to strengthen UN security council sanctions on Pyongyang over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. Foreign experts said the missile fired on Tuesday was capable of reaching the US Pacific territory of Guam.

As per experts, North Korea aims to expand its nuclear arsenal to boost its leverage in future negotiations with the US.