North Korea Fires Another Missile

Today North Korea launched a ballistic missile, the first missile test since Donald Trump became the president of the United States, according to the South Korean military officials.

South Korean military officials claim the missile was fired at 22:55 GMT Saturday and shot eastward at the Sea of Japan for an approximated 500 kilometers.

Pyongyang has issued multiple nuclear tests this past year. North Korea’s frequent missile and nuclear test and hostile statements invoke alarm and anger within the area.

Saturday’s launch occurred at the Banghyon air base in North Pyongan province located near the west portion of the Korean peninsula.

A top U.S. department of defense official quoted by Reuters news organization stated that Washington D.C. “could confirm that we did detect a missile launch from North Korea.”

The Souther Korean government has scheduled a national security meeting to discuss the launch shortly following the event.

South Korea’s Office of Joint Chiefs of Staff characterized the launch as a “show of force.”

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un previously stated in January the country was anticipating long-range missile testing which supposedly capable of containing nuclear warheads.

During a visit to South Korea this past week, U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis stated that any use of nuclear weapons by North Korea would result in a “effective and overwhelming” response.

Mattis also confirmed plans to implement a U.S. missile defense system in South Korea later this year.

North Korea has done its fifth test of a nuclear warhead this past year, and it claims it has the potential to execute a nuclear attack on the U.S. However, defense experts are still unconvinced that it is capable launching such an attack as its technology is simply lackluster at this point.

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