The United States, along with Japan and South Korea, are preparing a “robust response” to the launch of a North Korean ballistic missile over Japan on Tuesday, the White House said.
US National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan met separately with South Korean and Japanese colleagues to develop an “appropriate and strong international response” and reinforce the United States’ “iron commitment” to the defense of Japan and South Korea. Korea, spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said.
The US Asia-Pacific Command condemned the firing of the ballistic missile and assured that the “Washington’s Commitments to Defense of Japan and South Korea Remain Unshakable”.
“The United States condemns these actions and calls on North Korea to refrain from further illegal and destabilizing actions”he added.
It also forced the temporary suspension of train traffic in the Aomori region and on Hokkaido island, in the north of the archipelago, he added.
Japanese authorities said the projectile had fallen into the Pacific Ocean.
South Korea has also detected the North Korean launch towards the eastern waters of the north.
The European Union also condemned the firing of North Korean missiles at Japan. The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, called the act an “unjustified aggression”.
The firing marks the fifth round of weapons tests by North Korea in the past 10 days, in an apparent response to military exercises between Japan, South Korea and the United States, which began late last month for the first time in five years.
Pyongyang considers US-led military exercises in the region, particularly with South Korea, as preparation for an invasion, though Washington and Seoul have repeatedly denied any intention of attacking the north.
The two Koreas are technically still at war, as the 1950-53 conflict ended with the signing of an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
Source: DN
