Four Chinese nationals have been indicted for financial dealings with North Korean companies sanctioned for involvement in the production of weapons of mass destruction(WMD), the US Justice Department said Tuesday.

Ma Xiaohong, the head of Dandong Hongxiang Industrial Development Co. Ltd, and three top executives of the Chinese company were indicted by a federal grand jury in New Jersey, the department said in a statement.

"Through the use of more than 20 front companies, the defendants are alleged to have sought to obscure illicit financial dealings on behalf of sanctioned North Korean entities that were involved in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," assistant attorney general John Demers said.

"Ma, her company, and her employees tried to defraud the United States by evading sanctions restrictions and doing business with proliferators of weapons of mass destruction," said US Attorney Craig Carpenito.

According to the indictment, DHID worked with North Korea-based Korea Kwangson Banking Corp. (KKBC), which has ties to two other sanctioned North Korean entities -&nbsp;Tanchon Commercial Bank (Tanchon) and Korea Hyoksin Trading Corporation (Hyoksin).

Tanchon and Hyoksin are subject to US sanctions because of their links with the Korea Mining Development Trading Co. (KOMID), which the United States considers North Korea's premier arms dealer and main exporter of goods and equipment related to ballistic missiles and conventional weapons.

Four Chinese nationals have been indicted for financial dealings with North Korean companies sanctioned for involvement in the production of weapons of mass destruction(WMD), the US Justice Department said Tuesday.

Four Chinese nationals have been indicted for financial dealings with North Korean companies sanctioned for involvement in the production of weapons of mass destruction(WMD), the US Justice Department said Tuesday. Ma Xiaohong, the head of Dandong Hongxiang Industrial Development Co. Ltd, and three top executives of the Chinese company were indicted by a federal grand jury in New Jersey, the department said in a statement. "Through the use of more than 20 front companies, the defendants are alleged to have sought to obscure illicit financial dealings on behalf of sanctioned North Korean entities that were involved in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," assistant attorney general John Demers said. "Ma, her company, and her employees tried to defraud the United States by evading sanctions restrictions and doing business with proliferators of weapons of mass destruction," said US Attorney Craig Carpenito. According to the indictment, DHID worked with North Korea-based Korea Kwangson Banking Corp. (KKBC), which has ties to two other sanctioned North Korean entities - Tanchon Commercial Bank (Tanchon) and Korea Hyoksin Trading Corporation (Hyoksin). Tanchon and Hyoksin are subject to US sanctions because of their links with the Korea Mining Development Trading Co. (KOMID), which the United States considers North Korea's premier arms dealer and main exporter of goods and equipment related to ballistic missiles and conventional weapons.

US indicts Chinese nationals for dealings with North Korean companies in producing weapons of mass destruction

A 'suspected explosion' occurred near the China-North Korea border&nbsp;causing a&nbsp;small quake, reports said.&nbsp;

A 'suspected explosion' occurred near the China-North Korea border causing a small quake, reports said.

'Suspected explosion' near China-North Korea border causes small quake

North Korea fired two short-range missiles Thursday, South Korea said, an act of defiance that marks the country’s second test launch of weapons in less than a week.

North Korea fires another unidentified projectile

A week after returning from a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-north-korea-state-sponsor-of-terror-24690">five-nation Asia tour, US President Donald Trump</a> today declared North Korea as a &quot;state sponsor of terrorism&quot; as the standoff between the US and its allies and Kim&#39;s regime continued to build on Monday.

&quot;Should have <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-sends-envoy-to-n-korea-trump-hails-big-move-24455">happened a long time ago.</a> Should have happened years ago,&quot; Trump said, adding the Treasury Department would announce additional sanctions against North Korea on Tuesday.

&quot;In addition to threatening the world by nuclear devastation, North Korea has repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism, including assassinations on foreign soil,&quot; Trump told reporters at the White House.

Trump said the sanctions as a result of designating North Korea a terrorist state would lead to &quot;very large&quot; US Treasury sanctions that would eventually amount to a &quot;maximum pressure campaign.&quot;

&quot;This designation will impose further sanctions and penalties on North Korea and related persons and supports our maximum pressure campaign to isolate the murderous regime,&quot; the US president said.

President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had traded insults during the president&#39;s trip to Asia last week with the US refusing to back down over conducting military drills on Korean waters with its allies Japan and South Korea.

North Korea&#39;s neighbour Japan said it &quot;welcomes and supports&quot; the US move to relist Pyongyang as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Amid the sanctions and rhetoric, US secretary of state Rex Tillerson has been using diplomatic back channels with the Korean government and its ally China to bring a semblance of compromise, Tillerson said sanctions were already having a &quot;significant effect&quot; on Pyongyang&#39;s economy.

The US and its allies fear Kim may be preparing for yet another nuclear test as pressure grows on the North Korean nation to give up its hardline stance.

&quot;We know that there are current shortages of fuel based upon what we can gather anecdotally and also from certain intelligence sources,&quot; Tillerson said.

&quot;We know that their revenues are down,&quot; he said. &quot;So I think it is having an effect,&quot; the US secretary of state added.

Amid the sanctions and rhetoric, US secretary of state Rex Tillerson has been using diplomatic back channels with the Korean government and its ally China

A week after returning from a five-nation Asia tour, US President Donald Trump today declared North Korea as a "state sponsor of terrorism" as the standoff between the US and its allies and Kim's regime continued to build on Monday. "Should have happened a long time ago. Should have happened years ago," Trump said, adding the Treasury Department would announce additional sanctions against North Korea on Tuesday. "In addition to threatening the world by nuclear devastation, North Korea has repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism, including assassinations on foreign soil," Trump told reporters at the White House. Trump said the sanctions as a result of designating North Korea a terrorist state would lead to "very large" US Treasury sanctions that would eventually amount to a "maximum pressure campaign." "This designation will impose further sanctions and penalties on North Korea and related persons and supports our maximum pressure campaign to isolate the murderous regime," the US president said. President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had traded insults during the president's trip to Asia last week with the US refusing to back down over conducting military drills on Korean waters with its allies Japan and South Korea. North Korea's neighbour Japan said it "welcomes and supports" the US move to relist Pyongyang as a state sponsor of terrorism. Amid the sanctions and rhetoric, US secretary of state Rex Tillerson has been using diplomatic back channels with the Korean government and its ally China to bring a semblance of compromise, Tillerson said sanctions were already having a "significant effect" on Pyongyang's economy. The US and its allies fear Kim may be preparing for yet another nuclear test as pressure grows on the North Korean nation to give up its hardline stance. "We know that there are current shortages of fuel based upon what we can gather anecdotally and also from certain intelligence sources," Tillerson said. "We know that their revenues are down," he said. "So I think it is having an effect," the US secretary of state added.

Declaring North Korea a terrorist state should have happened years ago: Trump

Japan could legally intercept a North Korean missile headed towards Guam, defence minister Itsunori Onodera said on Thursday in remarks reported by Kyodo news service.

Onodera told a lower house of parliament committee that Japan would be allowed to hit a missile headed towards the US&nbsp;Pacific territory if it was judged to be an existential threat to Japan, Kyodo said.

This is a reiteration of the Japanese government&#39;s position.

Experts say Japan does not currently have the capability to shoot down a missile flying over its territory headed for Guam.

&nbsp;

Defence minister Itsunori Onodera reportedly told a lower house of parliament committee that Japan would be allowed to hit a missile headed towards the US?Pacific territory if it was judged to be an existential threat to Japan

Japan could legally intercept a North Korean missile headed towards Guam, defence minister Itsunori Onodera said on Thursday in remarks reported by Kyodo news service. Onodera told a lower house of parliament committee that Japan would be allowed to hit a missile headed towards the US Pacific territory if it was judged to be an existential threat to Japan, Kyodo said. This is a reiteration of the Japanese government's position. Experts say Japan does not currently have the capability to shoot down a missile flying over its territory headed for Guam.

Japan could legally intercept a Guam-bound North Korea missile: Report

The Pacific island of Guam remained calm a day after the apocalyptic threats from Korea.

The threats followed after the US President Donald Trump had warned North Korea with <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-threatens-strike-on-guam-after-trumps-fire-and-fury-warning-18729">&quot; fire and fury&quot; over its nuclear ambitions</a>. Korea reverted saying it was considering missile strikes near US strategic military installations on Guam.

Governor Eddie Calvo assured the residents of Guam of their safety. He said that Guam and Washington are working together to secure the Pacific island.

George Charfauros, the territory&#39;s homeland security adviser said there was just a 0.000001 per cent chance of the North Korean missile hitting Guam.

The threat did not scare the people in Chelsea as it was like any other ordinary day for them. &quot;I haven&#39;t heard people talk about it. The customer traffic is normal. They&#39;re just buying school supplies because the school&#39;s just opened&quot; a shop worker in Chelsea told AFP.&nbsp;

Guam, a US island territory, is a popular tourist destination. The island is inhabited by around 6000 US troops and houses two US military installations, the Andersen Air Force Base and the Naval Base Guam.

Nationalists claim that it is because of the US military that the island attracts potential threats.&nbsp;

However, Calvo dismissed the claims saying the island is safe because of the US military presence.

&quot;Those who are against the military will keep that distinction and make that argument. In the same manner, those who support the presence of the military on Guam will argue that this is what keeps us safe,&quot; he said.

The governor also said that he has been assured by the White House that a strike on the territory would be considered an attack on the United States, adding that Guam is American soil inhabited by 200,000 Americans.&nbsp;

The verbal war between US and Korea has forced Germany to intervene and request United Nations Security Council to &quot;thoroughly implement&quot; the latest round of sanctions against North Korea.

The German foreign ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer has asked &quot;all sides to restraint&quot; stressing that Germany saw North Korea as the clear &quot;provocateur in this case and the source of our worries&quot;. &nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The threats followed after the US President Donald Trump had warned North Korea with 'fire and fury' over its nuclear ambitions

The Pacific island of Guam remained calm a day after the apocalyptic threats from Korea. The threats followed after the US President Donald Trump had warned North Korea with " fire and fury" over its nuclear ambitions. Korea reverted saying it was considering missile strikes near US strategic military installations on Guam. Governor Eddie Calvo assured the residents of Guam of their safety. He said that Guam and Washington are working together to secure the Pacific island. George Charfauros, the territory's homeland security adviser said there was just a 0.000001 per cent chance of the North Korean missile hitting Guam. The threat did not scare the people in Chelsea as it was like any other ordinary day for them. "I haven't heard people talk about it. The customer traffic is normal. They're just buying school supplies because the school's just opened" a shop worker in Chelsea told AFP. Guam, a US island territory, is a popular tourist destination. The island is inhabited by around 6000 US troops and houses two US military installations, the Andersen Air Force Base and the Naval Base Guam. Nationalists claim that it is because of the US military that the island attracts potential threats. However, Calvo dismissed the claims saying the island is safe because of the US military presence. "Those who are against the military will keep that distinction and make that argument. In the same manner, those who support the presence of the military on Guam will argue that this is what keeps us safe," he said. The governor also said that he has been assured by the White House that a strike on the territory would be considered an attack on the United States, adding that Guam is American soil inhabited by 200,000 Americans. The verbal war between US and Korea has forced Germany to intervene and request United Nations Security Council to "thoroughly implement" the latest round of sanctions against North Korea. The German foreign ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer has asked "all sides to restraint" stressing that Germany saw North Korea as the clear "provocateur in this case and the source of our worries".

Guam keeps its cool after North Korea strike threat

North Korea on Saturday said its latest missile launch proved that the entire US was within striking range, state media reported.

&quot;The test-fire reconfirmed the reliability of the ICBM system, demonstrated the capability of making a surprise launch of the ICBM in any region and place any time , and clearly proved that the whole US mainland is in the firing range of the DPRK missiles, (Kim) said with pride,&quot; the North&#39;s official KCNA news agency said.

North Korea on Saturday said it conducted another successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that landed in the Sea of Japan.

The US confirmed the rocket launch was of an ICBM.

&quot;We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile, as had been expected,&quot; Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said.

&quot;The missile was launched from Mupyong-ni and traveled about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) before splashing down in the Sea of Japan. We are working with our interagency partners on a more detailed assessment.&quot;

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The U.S Defence Ministry spokesperson&#39;s statement on North Korea: <a href="https://t.co/rsqkp5fk7s">pic.twitter.com/rsqkp5fk7s</a>
&mdash; Ramesh Ramachandran (@RRRameshRRR) <a href="https://twitter.com/RRRameshRRR/status/891130940465881088">July 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The latest test comes less than a month after the North conducted its first ICBM test.

US President Donald Trump called it &quot;only the latest reckless and dangerous action by the North Korean regime&quot;.

China on Saturday condemned North Korea&#39;s launch of an ICBM.&nbsp;

&quot;China opposes North Korea&#39;s violations of UN Security Council resolutions ... At the same time, (China) hopes that all parties concerned will exercise caution and avoid intensifying tensions&quot; on the Korean peninsula, a foreign ministry spokesman said in a brief statement.

South Korea&#39;s President Moon Jae-in on Saturday called for a &quot;stern response&quot; to North Korea&#39;s missile launch.

&quot;I direct the foreign affairs and security ministries to ensure that our government in tandem with our partners, including the United States, can craft a stern response to the North&#39;s provocation, including measures at the UN Security Council,&quot; Moon was quoted as saying by Yonhap news agency.

&quot;I also call for a review of our stand-alone sanctions against the North if necessary,&quot; he added. 
&nbsp;

The US confirmed the rocket launch was of an intercontinental ballistic missile

North Korea on Saturday said its latest missile launch proved that the entire US was within striking range, state media reported. "The test-fire reconfirmed the reliability of the ICBM system, demonstrated the capability of making a surprise launch of the ICBM in any region and place any time , and clearly proved that the whole US mainland is in the firing range of the DPRK missiles, (Kim) said with pride," the North's official KCNA news agency said. North Korea on Saturday said it conducted another successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that landed in the Sea of Japan. The US confirmed the rocket launch was of an ICBM. "We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile, as had been expected," Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said. "The missile was launched from Mupyong-ni and traveled about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) before splashing down in the Sea of Japan. We are working with our interagency partners on a more detailed assessment." The U.S Defence Ministry spokesperson's statement on North Korea: pic.twitter.com/rsqkp5fk7s — Ramesh Ramachandran (@RRRameshRRR) July 29, 2017 × The latest test comes less than a month after the North conducted its first ICBM test. US President Donald Trump called it "only the latest reckless and dangerous action by the North Korean regime". China on Saturday condemned North Korea's launch of an ICBM. "China opposes North Korea's violations of UN Security Council resolutions ... At the same time, (China) hopes that all parties concerned will exercise caution and avoid intensifying tensions" on the Korean peninsula, a foreign ministry spokesman said in a brief statement. South Korea's President Moon Jae-in on Saturday called for a "stern response" to North Korea's missile launch. "I direct the foreign affairs and security ministries to ensure that our government in tandem with our partners, including the United States, can craft a stern response to the North's provocation, including measures at the UN Security Council," Moon was quoted as saying by Yonhap news agency. "I also call for a review of our stand-alone sanctions against the North if necessary," he added.

North Korea says ICBM test shows all US within range

North Korea fired a ballistic missile on Monday, the South&#39;s military and Japan said, a move that ratcheted up tensions over the North&#39;s quest to develop weapons capable of hitting the United States.

The test is the latest launch by Pyongyang this year as the isolated regime steps up efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile that can deliver a nuclear warhead to the continental United States.

The missile launches, and Pyongyang&#39;s threat to stage its sixth nuclear test, have prompted calls for tougher UN sanctions and a warning from US President Donald Trump that military intervention was an option under consideration.

South Korea&#39;s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the &quot;unidentified ballistic missile (speculated to be a Scud)&quot; was fired from the North Korean coastal city of Wonsan at 5:09 am (2139 GMT) and travelled in an eastward direction.

&quot;The flight range is about 450km (280 miles),&quot; the statement said, adding that South Korean and US experts were analysing the event for further detail.

Japan&#39;s chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, told reporters the missile appeared to have fallen into the country&#39;s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) -- waters extending 200 nautical miles from its coast.

&quot;Our country can never tolerate repeated provocative actions by North Korea,&quot; he said, condemning the launch.

The regime has carried out two atomic tests and dozens of missile launches since the beginning of last year, with multiple sets of UN sanctions failing to halt&nbsp;its weapons push.&nbsp;

In Washington, a National Security Council spokesman said President Trump had been briefed on the launch.

The United States confirmed that North Korea has test-launched another ballistic missile.

The US Pacific Command said the short-range missile was tracked for six minutes until it landed in the Sea of Japan.

It was not deemed a threat to North America.

South Korea&#39;s new president, Moon Jae-In, ordered a meeting of the national security council to assess the launch, the defence ministry said.

Following North Korea&#39;s test-firing of what analysts said was its longest-range rocket yet earlier this month, the UN Security Council vowed to push all countries to tighten sanctions against Pyongyang.

But China, the North&#39;s main trade partner and ally, has made it clear that the push for diplomatic talks -- not imposing more sanctions -- was the priority.

The United States has said it is willing to enter into talks with North Korea -- but only if it halts its missile and nuclear tests.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has sought to ramp up the country&#39;s weapons programme under his rule, saying the regime needs nuclear weapons to defend itself against the threat of invasion.

The Security Council adopted two sanctions resolutions last year to pile pressure on Pyongyang and deny the regime the hard currency needed to fund its military programmes.

In all, six sets of sanctions have been imposed on North Korea since it first tested an atomic device in 2006.

(AFP)

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The projectile was likely a ballistic missile, South Korea&#39;s Yonhap news agency said citing an unidentified source (WION)
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The test is the latest launch by Pyongyang this year as the isolated regime steps up efforts to develop an ICBM

North Korea fired a ballistic missile on Monday, the South's military and Japan said, a move that ratcheted up tensions over the North's quest to develop weapons capable of hitting the United States. The test is the latest launch by Pyongyang this year as the isolated regime steps up efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile that can deliver a nuclear warhead to the continental United States. The missile launches, and Pyongyang's threat to stage its sixth nuclear test, have prompted calls for tougher UN sanctions and a warning from US President Donald Trump that military intervention was an option under consideration. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the "unidentified ballistic missile (speculated to be a Scud)" was fired from the North Korean coastal city of Wonsan at 5:09 am (2139 GMT) and travelled in an eastward direction. "The flight range is about 450km (280 miles)," the statement said, adding that South Korean and US experts were analysing the event for further detail. Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, told reporters the missile appeared to have fallen into the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) -- waters extending 200 nautical miles from its coast. "Our country can never tolerate repeated provocative actions by North Korea," he said, condemning the launch. The regime has carried out two atomic tests and dozens of missile launches since the beginning of last year, with multiple sets of UN sanctions failing to halt its weapons push. In Washington, a National Security Council spokesman said President Trump had been briefed on the launch. The United States confirmed that North Korea has test-launched another ballistic missile. The US Pacific Command said the short-range missile was tracked for six minutes until it landed in the Sea of Japan. It was not deemed a threat to North America. South Korea's new president, Moon Jae-In, ordered a meeting of the national security council to assess the launch, the defence ministry said. Following North Korea's test-firing of what analysts said was its longest-range rocket yet earlier this month, the UN Security Council vowed to push all countries to tighten sanctions against Pyongyang. But China, the North's main trade partner and ally, has made it clear that the push for diplomatic talks -- not imposing more sanctions -- was the priority. The United States has said it is willing to enter into talks with North Korea -- but only if it halts its missile and nuclear tests. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has sought to ramp up the country's weapons programme under his rule, saying the regime needs nuclear weapons to defend itself against the threat of invasion. The Security Council adopted two sanctions resolutions last year to pile pressure on Pyongyang and deny the regime the hard currency needed to fund its military programmes. In all, six sets of sanctions have been imposed on North Korea since it first tested an atomic device in 2006. (AFP) The projectile was likely a ballistic missile, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said citing an unidentified source (WION) ×

North Korea fires ballistic missile as tension escalates on Korean peninsula

A week after its latest missile launch, North Korea on Sunday fired off an &quot;unidentified projectile&quot; said South Korea&#39;s defence officials.

&quot;North Korea fired an unidentified projectile at Pukchang, South Pyongan province in the afternoon today,&quot; the South&#39;s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. 
 
The test comes a week after North Korea tested a missile which it said was a rocket capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.&nbsp;

South Korea&#39;s Yonhap News Agency cited an anonymous source and said the missile was not believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Reuters reported.

A South Korean military official declined to confirm the report but said the military was analysing the launch.&nbsp;

North Korea has defied all calls to rein in its nuclear and missile programmes, even from its lone major ally China. It calls them legimitate self defence.

It has been working to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of striking the US mainland.

&quot;Today the US mainland and the Pacific operational theatre are within the strike range of the DPRK and the DPRK has all kinds of powerful means for annihilating retaliatory strike,&quot; North Korea&#39;s state KCNA news agency said in a commentary on Saturday.

(WION with inputs from AFP, Reuters)

South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea had fired an unidentified projectile at Pukchang in South Pyongan province

A week after its latest missile launch, North Korea on Sunday fired off an "unidentified projectile" said South Korea's defence officials. "North Korea fired an unidentified projectile at Pukchang, South Pyongan province in the afternoon today," the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. The test comes a week after North Korea tested a missile which it said was a rocket capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. South Korea's Yonhap News Agency cited an anonymous source and said the missile was not believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Reuters reported. A South Korean military official declined to confirm the report but said the military was analysing the launch. North Korea has defied all calls to rein in its nuclear and missile programmes, even from its lone major ally China. It calls them legimitate self defence. It has been working to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of striking the US mainland. "Today the US mainland and the Pacific operational theatre are within the strike range of the DPRK and the DPRK has all kinds of powerful means for annihilating retaliatory strike," North Korea's state KCNA news agency said in a commentary on Saturday. (WION with inputs from AFP, Reuters)

North Korea fires 'unidentified projectile': South Korea

A fresh North Korean missile test failed almost immediately after it was launched on Sunday, the US military said amid increasing tensions with the regime over its nuclear weapons ambitions.

&quot;The missile blew up almost immediately,&quot; the US Defence Department said of the early morning launch which is likely to be seen as something of an embarrassment for North Korea.

South Korean also confirmed that an &quot;unidentified type of missile&quot; had been launched from Sinpo area in the South Hamkyong Province and that the launch had failed.

Neither country was able to determine immediately what kind of missile was being tested.

The failed missile test came a day after North Korea displayed nearly 60 missiles -- including what is suspected to be a new intercontinental ballistic missile -- at a giant military parade to mark the 105th birthday of its founder Kim Il-Sung.

The parade was held in front of the cameras of invited world media, who were still in Pyongyang when Sunday&#39;s test failure was detected.

Geo-spatial images from last week had shown North Korea possibly preparing a nuclear test, to coincide with Kim Il-Sung&#39;s anniversary.

The latest missile test attempt comes just hours ahead of a visit by Vice President Mike Pence to Seoul, where the nuclear issue will be top of the agenda at talks with South Korea&#39;s acting president Hwang Kyo-Ahn.

Pence&#39;s first visit to South Korea -- which will be followed by stopovers in Japan, Indonesia and Australia -- was conceived months ago, but could hardly come at a time of higher tension when Pyongyang&#39;s rogue atomic ambitions have come into sharp focus.

US President Donald Trump has threatened unilateral action against North Korea if China fails to help curb its neighbour&#39;s nuclear programme.

China, the North&#39;s sole major ally, and Russia have both urged restraint. Beijing&#39;s foreign minister Wang Yi warned on Friday that &quot;conflict could break out at any moment&quot;.

Trump, who has said he will prevent Pyongyang from its goal of developing a nuclear-tipped ballistic missile that can hit US, sent an aircraft carrier-led strike group to the Korean peninsula to press his point.

Intelligence officials have warned North Korea could be less than two years away from achieving the ability to strike the continental US, AFP reported.

The North has reiterated its constant refrain that it is ready for &quot;war&quot; with the US, with its army vowing a &quot;merciless&quot; response to any provocation and accusing Trump of entering into a &quot;path of open threat and blackmail&quot;.

The North is also reportedly preparing a sixth nuclear test, with satellite images showing its main nuclear site &quot;primed and ready,&quot; AFP reported citing specialist US website 38North.

The UN Security Council has imposed six sets of sanctions against the North since its first nuclear test in 2006 -- all of which have failed to halt its drive for what it insists are defensive weapons.

North Korea carried out five nuclear tests &ndash; two of them last year &ndash; and multiple missile launches, one of which saw three rockets come down in waters provocatively close to Japan last month. 
 
(WION with inputs from AFP) 
&nbsp;

The US Defense Department confirmed?that North Korea appeared to have fired a missile

A fresh North Korean missile test failed almost immediately after it was launched on Sunday, the US military said amid increasing tensions with the regime over its nuclear weapons ambitions. "The missile blew up almost immediately," the US Defence Department said of the early morning launch which is likely to be seen as something of an embarrassment for North Korea. South Korean also confirmed that an "unidentified type of missile" had been launched from Sinpo area in the South Hamkyong Province and that the launch had failed. Neither country was able to determine immediately what kind of missile was being tested. The failed missile test came a day after North Korea displayed nearly 60 missiles -- including what is suspected to be a new intercontinental ballistic missile -- at a giant military parade to mark the 105th birthday of its founder Kim Il-Sung. The parade was held in front of the cameras of invited world media, who were still in Pyongyang when Sunday's test failure was detected. Geo-spatial images from last week had shown North Korea possibly preparing a nuclear test, to coincide with Kim Il-Sung's anniversary. The latest missile test attempt comes just hours ahead of a visit by Vice President Mike Pence to Seoul, where the nuclear issue will be top of the agenda at talks with South Korea's acting president Hwang Kyo-Ahn. Pence's first visit to South Korea -- which will be followed by stopovers in Japan, Indonesia and Australia -- was conceived months ago, but could hardly come at a time of higher tension when Pyongyang's rogue atomic ambitions have come into sharp focus. US President Donald Trump has threatened unilateral action against North Korea if China fails to help curb its neighbour's nuclear programme. China, the North's sole major ally, and Russia have both urged restraint. Beijing's foreign minister Wang Yi warned on Friday that "conflict could break out at any moment". Trump, who has said he will prevent Pyongyang from its goal of developing a nuclear-tipped ballistic missile that can hit US, sent an aircraft carrier-led strike group to the Korean peninsula to press his point. Intelligence officials have warned North Korea could be less than two years away from achieving the ability to strike the continental US, AFP reported. The North has reiterated its constant refrain that it is ready for "war" with the US, with its army vowing a "merciless" response to any provocation and accusing Trump of entering into a "path of open threat and blackmail". The North is also reportedly preparing a sixth nuclear test, with satellite images showing its main nuclear site "primed and ready," AFP reported citing specialist US website 38North. The UN Security Council has imposed six sets of sanctions against the North since its first nuclear test in 2006 -- all of which have failed to halt its drive for what it insists are defensive weapons. North Korea carried out five nuclear tests – two of them last year – and multiple missile launches, one of which saw three rockets come down in waters provocatively close to Japan last month. (WION with inputs from AFP)

US confirms failed North Korea missile test as tensions escalate

Nuclear-armed North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan on Wednesday, just ahead of a highly-anticipated China-US summit at which Pyongyang&rsquo;s accelerating atomic weapons programme is set to top the agenda.

South Korea&#39;s defence ministry said the missile -&ndash; launched days after Pyongyang warned of retaliation if the global community ramps up sanctions -- had flown 60 kilometres (about 40 miles).

South Korea&#39;s foreign ministry strongly condemned the launch, which it said represented a &quot;threat to peace and stability of the whole world&quot;.

The US military said it was a KN-15 medium-range ballistic missile which they had determined posed no threat to America.

&quot;US Pacific Command is fully committed to working closely with our Republic of Korea and Japanese allies to maintain security,&quot; the military command in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region said.

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US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson confirmed Pyongyang had launched &quot;yet another&quot; ballistic missile.&nbsp;

&quot;The United States has spoken enough about North Korea. We have no further comment,&quot; he said in a statement.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the launch was a &quot;grave provocation&quot; that &quot;clearly violates UN Security Council resolutions&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;It is possible that (the North) will take further provocative actions,&quot; he added.

The launch will fuel international concerns about the hermit state&#39;s weapons programme.

Pyongyang is on a quest to develop a long-range missile capable of hitting the US mainland with a nuclear warhead, and has so far staged five nuclear tests, two of them last year.

Trump-Xi meeting

The latest launch came after President Donald Trump threatened the US was prepared to go it alone in bringing the North to heel if China did not step in.

His comments, in an interview with the Financial Times, were interpreted as an effort to up the pressure on Beijing ahead of a summit on Thursday and Friday.

Trump will host China&#39;s President Xi Jinping at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida for their first face-to-face meeting this week where the growing tensions on the Korean peninsula are expected to be high on the agenda.

The Trump administration has repeatedly insisted that Beijing holds the key to stopping its errant neighbour and is not doing enough to control it.

China is North Korea&#39;s sole major diplomatic friend and a key trading partner that supplies the isolated state with much of its hard currency in the face of stringent global sanctions.

But Beijing is wary of putting too much pressure on North Korea for fear of the unpredictable consequences if the state collapses.

North Korea&#39;s foreign ministry on Monday assailed Washington for its tough talk and for an ongoing joint military exercise with South Korea and Japan which Pyongyang sees as a dress rehearsal for invasion.

The &quot;reckless actions&quot; are driving the tense situation on the Korean peninsula &quot;to the brink of a war&quot;, a ministry spokesman was quoted as saying by the official KCNA news agency.

The idea that the US could deprive Pyongyang of its &quot;nuclear deterrent&quot; through sanctions is &quot;the wildest dream&quot;, it said.

The hardened US stance followed recent North Korean missile launches that Pyongyang described as practice for an attack on US bases in Japan.

In February the North simultaneously fired four ballistic missiles off its east coast, three of which fell provocatively close to Japan.

Last August Pyongyang also successfully test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile 500 kilometres towards Japan, far exceeding any previous sub-launched tests, in what the North&#39;s leader Kim Jong-Un hailed as the &quot;greatest success&quot;.

A nuclear-capable SLBM system would take the North&#39;s threat to a new level, allowing deployment far beyond the Korean peninsula and a &quot;second-strike&quot; capability in the event of an attack on its army bases.

Analysts say that while Pyongyang has made faster progress in its SLBM system than originally expected, it is still years away from deployment.

Pyongyang is barred under UN resolutions from carrying out ballistic missile launches or nuclear tests.

(AFP)

Pyongyang is on a quest to develop a long-range missile capable of hitting the US mainland with a nuclear warhead

Nuclear-armed North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan on Wednesday, just ahead of a highly-anticipated China-US summit at which Pyongyang’s accelerating atomic weapons programme is set to top the agenda. South Korea's defence ministry said the missile -– launched days after Pyongyang warned of retaliation if the global community ramps up sanctions -- had flown 60 kilometres (about 40 miles). South Korea's foreign ministry strongly condemned the launch, which it said represented a "threat to peace and stability of the whole world". The US military said it was a KN-15 medium-range ballistic missile which they had determined posed no threat to America. "US Pacific Command is fully committed to working closely with our Republic of Korea and Japanese allies to maintain security," the military command in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region said. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the launch was a 'grave provocation' that 'clearly violates UN Security Council resolutions' × US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson confirmed Pyongyang had launched "yet another" ballistic missile. "The United States has spoken enough about North Korea. We have no further comment," he said in a statement. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the launch was a "grave provocation" that "clearly violates UN Security Council resolutions". "It is possible that (the North) will take further provocative actions," he added. The launch will fuel international concerns about the hermit state's weapons programme. Pyongyang is on a quest to develop a long-range missile capable of hitting the US mainland with a nuclear warhead, and has so far staged five nuclear tests, two of them last year. Trump-Xi meeting The latest launch came after President Donald Trump threatened the US was prepared to go it alone in bringing the North to heel if China did not step in. His comments, in an interview with the Financial Times, were interpreted as an effort to up the pressure on Beijing ahead of a summit on Thursday and Friday. Trump will host China's President Xi Jinping at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida for their first face-to-face meeting this week where the growing tensions on the Korean peninsula are expected to be high on the agenda. The Trump administration has repeatedly insisted that Beijing holds the key to stopping its errant neighbour and is not doing enough to control it. China is North Korea's sole major diplomatic friend and a key trading partner that supplies the isolated state with much of its hard currency in the face of stringent global sanctions. But Beijing is wary of putting too much pressure on North Korea for fear of the unpredictable consequences if the state collapses. North Korea's foreign ministry on Monday assailed Washington for its tough talk and for an ongoing joint military exercise with South Korea and Japan which Pyongyang sees as a dress rehearsal for invasion. The "reckless actions" are driving the tense situation on the Korean peninsula "to the brink of a war", a ministry spokesman was quoted as saying by the official KCNA news agency. The idea that the US could deprive Pyongyang of its "nuclear deterrent" through sanctions is "the wildest dream", it said. The hardened US stance followed recent North Korean missile launches that Pyongyang described as practice for an attack on US bases in Japan. In February the North simultaneously fired four ballistic missiles off its east coast, three of which fell provocatively close to Japan. Last August Pyongyang also successfully test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile 500 kilometres towards Japan, far exceeding any previous sub-launched tests, in what the North's leader Kim Jong-Un hailed as the "greatest success". A nuclear-capable SLBM system would take the North's threat to a new level, allowing deployment far beyond the Korean peninsula and a "second-strike" capability in the event of an attack on its army bases. Analysts say that while Pyongyang has made faster progress in its SLBM system than originally expected, it is still years away from deployment. Pyongyang is barred under UN resolutions from carrying out ballistic missile launches or nuclear tests. (AFP)

North Korea fires ballistic missile into Sea of Japan

A North Korean missile appeared to have exploded on Wednesday just after it was launched, the US&nbsp;and South Korean militaries said after detecting the latest in a series of weapons tests by the nuclear-armed state that have alarmed the region.

The launch attempt was made from near the city of Wonsan, on North Korea&#39;s east coast, the same place from where it launched several intermediate-range missiles last year, all but one of which failed.

&quot;US&nbsp;Pacific Command detected what we assess was a failed North Korean missile launch attempt ... in the vicinity of Kalma,&quot; Commander Dave Benham, a spokesman for U.S. Pacific Command, said in a statement, referring to an air field in Wonsan.

&quot;A missile appears to have exploded within seconds of launch,&quot; Benham said, adding that work was being carried out on a more detailed assessment.

A South Korean military official told Reuters the missile appeared to have exploded just after it was launched.

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<h5>US&nbsp;Pacific Command detected what we assess was a failed North Korean missile launch attempt ... in the vicinity of Kalma,&#39; Commander Dave Benham, a spokesman for US Pacific Command, said in a statement</h5>
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&quot;It may have exploded right after it took off from a launch pad,&quot; said military official, who declined to be identified.

It was not clear what type of missile it was. The South Korean defence ministry said it was conducting analysis to determine further details.

The increasing frequency of the missile tests has fuelled a growing sense of urgency over how to respond to the isolated, unpredictable state.

North Korea launched four ballistic missiles from near its west coast on March 6 and this week conducted a rocket engine test that its leader, Kim Jong Un, said opened &quot;a new birth&quot; of its rocket industry.

The latest launch came as the US&nbsp;envoy for North Korea policy, Joseph Yun, met his South Korean counterpart in Seoul to discuss a response to the North&#39;s weapons programmes.

Just last week US&nbsp;Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited Japan, South Korea and China and how to handle North Korea was a major issue in his talks.

Speaking in Seoul on Friday, Tillerson said a policy of strategic patience with North Korea had ended and all options, including a military one, were on the table if North Korea threatened South Korean or U.S. forces.

North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and a series of missile launches since the beginning of last year in defiance of UN&nbsp;resolutions. It is believed to be working to develop nuclear-tipped missiles that can reach the United States.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump rebuked Kim on Sunday, saying the North Korean leader was &quot;acting very, very badly&quot;.

A senior US&nbsp;official in Washington told Reuters on Monday that the Trump administration was considering sweeping sanctions as part of a broad review of measures to counter North Korea&#39;s nuclear and missile threat.

The United States is also deploying an advanced missile- defence system in South Korea. But China objects to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, saying its powerful radar can penetrate deep into its territory, undermining its security.

Undaunted by the possibility of even tougher sanctions aimed at cutting North Korea off from the global financial system, a North Korean diplomat said his government would pursue an &quot;acceleration&quot; of its nuclear and missile programmes.

This includes developing a &quot;pre-emptive first strike capability&quot; and an inter-continental ballistic missile, said Choe Myong Nam, deputy ambassador at the DPRK (North Korean) mission to the United Nations in Geneva.

Japan&#39;s Nikkei index and South Korean stocks extended losses slightly after news of a North Korean launch broke but trade was steady overall. 
 
(Reuters)

It appeared to have exploded just after it was launched

A North Korean missile appeared to have exploded on Wednesday just after it was launched, the US and South Korean militaries said after detecting the latest in a series of weapons tests by the nuclear-armed state that have alarmed the region. The launch attempt was made from near the city of Wonsan, on North Korea's east coast, the same place from where it launched several intermediate-range missiles last year, all but one of which failed. "US Pacific Command detected what we assess was a failed North Korean missile launch attempt ... in the vicinity of Kalma," Commander Dave Benham, a spokesman for U.S. Pacific Command, said in a statement, referring to an air field in Wonsan. "A missile appears to have exploded within seconds of launch," Benham said, adding that work was being carried out on a more detailed assessment. A South Korean military official told Reuters the missile appeared to have exploded just after it was launched. US Pacific Command detected what we assess was a failed North Korean missile launch attempt ... in the vicinity of Kalma,' Commander Dave Benham, a spokesman for US Pacific Command, said in a statement × "It may have exploded right after it took off from a launch pad," said military official, who declined to be identified. It was not clear what type of missile it was. The South Korean defence ministry said it was conducting analysis to determine further details. The increasing frequency of the missile tests has fuelled a growing sense of urgency over how to respond to the isolated, unpredictable state. North Korea launched four ballistic missiles from near its west coast on March 6 and this week conducted a rocket engine test that its leader, Kim Jong Un, said opened "a new birth" of its rocket industry. The latest launch came as the US envoy for North Korea policy, Joseph Yun, met his South Korean counterpart in Seoul to discuss a response to the North's weapons programmes. Just last week US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited Japan, South Korea and China and how to handle North Korea was a major issue in his talks. Speaking in Seoul on Friday, Tillerson said a policy of strategic patience with North Korea had ended and all options, including a military one, were on the table if North Korea threatened South Korean or U.S. forces. North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and a series of missile launches since the beginning of last year in defiance of UN resolutions. It is believed to be working to develop nuclear-tipped missiles that can reach the United States. US President Donald Trump rebuked Kim on Sunday, saying the North Korean leader was "acting very, very badly". A senior US official in Washington told Reuters on Monday that the Trump administration was considering sweeping sanctions as part of a broad review of measures to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threat. The United States is also deploying an advanced missile- defence system in South Korea. But China objects to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, saying its powerful radar can penetrate deep into its territory, undermining its security. Undaunted by the possibility of even tougher sanctions aimed at cutting North Korea off from the global financial system, a North Korean diplomat said his government would pursue an "acceleration" of its nuclear and missile programmes. This includes developing a "pre-emptive first strike capability" and an inter-continental ballistic missile, said Choe Myong Nam, deputy ambassador at the DPRK (North Korean) mission to the United Nations in Geneva. Japan's Nikkei index and South Korean stocks extended losses slightly after news of a North Korean launch broke but trade was steady overall. (Reuters)

North Korea tests another missile, it fails

China has responded strongly to North Korea&#39;s brazen missile test by halting coal imports from the country for the remainder of the year.

China, which is by far North Korea&#39;s trading partner, has long been accused of doing little to dissuade Pyongyang from continuing its defence programs.

But the commerce ministry statement on its website, stating the suspension for the &quot;rest of the year&quot; is likely to hit the reclusive country particualrly hard.

North Korea is prohibited from carrying out ballistic missile launches or nuclear tests by the United Nations, but last week&#39;s rocket launch coerced China to take strict action.

The United Nations Security Council, of which China is a permanent memner, had sharply slammed the tests byb calling it a &quot;grave violation&quot; of UN resolutions.

It was Pyongyang&#39;s first rocket launch since US President Donald Trump came to power and was seen as a challenge to the new American leader, who has vowed a strong response to the provocation.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday used his first meeting with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to urge Beijing &quot;to use all available tools to moderate North Korea&#39;s destabilising behaviour&quot;.

North Korea blasted off a series of missiles and conducted two nuclear tests in 2016 in its quest to develop a weapons system capable of hitting the US mainland.

The latest rocket -- said by Pyongyang to be able to carry a nuclear warhead -- flew east for about 500 kilometres (310 miles) before falling into the Sea of Japan (East Sea), South Korea&#39;s defense ministry said.

Beijing traditionally ensured that UN Security Council resolutions on sanctions against Pyongyang included humanitarian exemptions, and had continued to purchase huge amounts of North Korean coal -- $101 million worth in October alone -- a crucial source of foreign exchange for Pyongyang.

But the latest resolution, passed in December, had no such clause and Beijing suspended purchases of coal from the North -- for three weeks to December 31.

(Wion with inputs from AFP)

The suspension will deprive North Korea of a crucial source of foreign exchange

China has responded strongly to North Korea's brazen missile test by halting coal imports from the country for the remainder of the year. China, which is by far North Korea's trading partner, has long been accused of doing little to dissuade Pyongyang from continuing its defence programs. But the commerce ministry statement on its website, stating the suspension for the "rest of the year" is likely to hit the reclusive country particualrly hard. North Korea is prohibited from carrying out ballistic missile launches or nuclear tests by the United Nations, but last week's rocket launch coerced China to take strict action. The United Nations Security Council, of which China is a permanent memner, had sharply slammed the tests byb calling it a "grave violation" of UN resolutions. It was Pyongyang's first rocket launch since US President Donald Trump came to power and was seen as a challenge to the new American leader, who has vowed a strong response to the provocation. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday used his first meeting with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to urge Beijing "to use all available tools to moderate North Korea's destabilising behaviour". North Korea blasted off a series of missiles and conducted two nuclear tests in 2016 in its quest to develop a weapons system capable of hitting the US mainland. The latest rocket -- said by Pyongyang to be able to carry a nuclear warhead -- flew east for about 500 kilometres (310 miles) before falling into the Sea of Japan (East Sea), South Korea's defense ministry said. Beijing traditionally ensured that UN Security Council resolutions on sanctions against Pyongyang included humanitarian exemptions, and had continued to purchase huge amounts of North Korean coal -- $101 million worth in October alone -- a crucial source of foreign exchange for Pyongyang. But the latest resolution, passed in December, had no such clause and Beijing suspended purchases of coal from the North -- for three weeks to December 31. (Wion with inputs from AFP)

China suspends coal import from North Korea after missile test

North Korea on Monday confirmed Sunday it had &quot;successfully&quot; tested a ballistic missile, in what was seen as a challenge to new US President Donald Trump.

The United States, Japan and South Korea requested an urgent UN Security Council meeting to discuss the latest missile test the same day.

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&quot;The United States, along with Japan and the Republic of Korea, have requested urgent consultations on the DPRK&rsquo;s launch of a ballistic missile on February 12,&quot; said a US mission spokesperson. The test was seen as a challenge to Donald Trump&#39;s young presidency. 
 
&quot;A surface-to-surface medium long-range ballistic missile Pukguksong-2... was successfully test-fired on Sunday,&quot; North Korea&#39;s state-run news agency KCNA said, describing it as a &quot;Korean-style new type strategic weapon system&quot;.

The missile was launched from Banghyon air base in the western province of North Pyongan, and flew east towards the Sea of Japan (East Sea), South Korea&#39;s defence ministry said Sunday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un &quot;personally guided the preparations&quot; for the test, the KCNA report said, adding it was carried out in a way that took the &quot;security of the neighbouring countries into consideration&quot;.

Kim &quot;expressed great satisfaction over the possession of another powerful nuclear attack means which adds to the tremendous might of the country&quot;, KCNA said.&nbsp;

&quot;Thanks to the development of the new strategic weapon system, our People&#39;s Army is capable of performing its strategic duties most accurately and rapidly in any space: under waters or on the land.&quot; &nbsp;

Sunday&#39;s missile launch was an apparent test of newly elected Trump, who responded to the provocation by pledging &quot;100 per cent&quot; support of Washington&#39;s key regional ally Japan.&nbsp;

The North Korean missile flew about 500 kilometres (310 miles) before falling into the sea, the South&#39;s defence ministry said.&nbsp;

&quot;Today&#39;s missile launch... is aimed at drawing global attention to the North by boasting its nuclear and missile capabilities&quot;, the ministry said in a statement.

&quot;It is also believed that it was an armed provocation to test the response from the new US administration under President Trump,&quot; it added.

It was the first such test since last October.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose country would be in range of a hostile North Korean missile launch, called the test &quot;absolutely intolerable&quot; during an impromptu press conference with Trump in Florida.&nbsp;

North Korea is barred under UN resolutions from any use of ballistic missile technology. But six sets of UN sanctions since Pyongyang&#39;s first nuclear test in 2006 have failed to halt its drive for what it insists are defensive weapons.

Last year the country conducted two nuclear tests and numerous missile launches in its quest to develop a nuclear weapons system capable of hitting the US mainland.

South Korea&#39;s acting president Hwang Gyo-Ahn vowed a &quot;corresponding punishment&quot; in response to the launch, which came on the heels of a visit to Seoul by US Defense Secretary James Mattis this month.

Mattis had warned Pyongyang that any nuclear attack would be met with an &quot;effective and overwhelming&quot; response. 
 
(AFP)

 
&nbsp;

The United States, Japan and South Korea have requested an urgent UN Security Council meeting

North Korea on Monday confirmed Sunday it had "successfully" tested a ballistic missile, in what was seen as a challenge to new US President Donald Trump. The United States, Japan and South Korea requested an urgent UN Security Council meeting to discuss the latest missile test the same day. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose country would be in range of a hostile North Korean missile launch, called the test 'absolutely intolerable' during an impromptu press conference with Trump in Florida × "The United States, along with Japan and the Republic of Korea, have requested urgent consultations on the DPRK’s launch of a ballistic missile on February 12," said a US mission spokesperson. The test was seen as a challenge to Donald Trump's young presidency. "A surface-to-surface medium long-range ballistic missile Pukguksong-2... was successfully test-fired on Sunday," North Korea's state-run news agency KCNA said, describing it as a "Korean-style new type strategic weapon system". The missile was launched from Banghyon air base in the western province of North Pyongan, and flew east towards the Sea of Japan (East Sea), South Korea's defence ministry said Sunday. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un "personally guided the preparations" for the test, the KCNA report said, adding it was carried out in a way that took the "security of the neighbouring countries into consideration". Kim "expressed great satisfaction over the possession of another powerful nuclear attack means which adds to the tremendous might of the country", KCNA said. "Thanks to the development of the new strategic weapon system, our People's Army is capable of performing its strategic duties most accurately and rapidly in any space: under waters or on the land." Sunday's missile launch was an apparent test of newly elected Trump, who responded to the provocation by pledging "100 per cent" support of Washington's key regional ally Japan. The North Korean missile flew about 500 kilometres (310 miles) before falling into the sea, the South's defence ministry said. "Today's missile launch... is aimed at drawing global attention to the North by boasting its nuclear and missile capabilities", the ministry said in a statement. "It is also believed that it was an armed provocation to test the response from the new US administration under President Trump," it added. It was the first such test since last October. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose country would be in range of a hostile North Korean missile launch, called the test "absolutely intolerable" during an impromptu press conference with Trump in Florida. North Korea is barred under UN resolutions from any use of ballistic missile technology. But six sets of UN sanctions since Pyongyang's first nuclear test in 2006 have failed to halt its drive for what it insists are defensive weapons. Last year the country conducted two nuclear tests and numerous missile launches in its quest to develop a nuclear weapons system capable of hitting the US mainland. South Korea's acting president Hwang Gyo-Ahn vowed a "corresponding punishment" in response to the launch, which came on the heels of a visit to Seoul by US Defense Secretary James Mattis this month. Mattis had warned Pyongyang that any nuclear attack would be met with an "effective and overwhelming" response. (AFP)

North Korea confirms 'successful' ballistic missile test

North Korea fired a ballistic missile on Sunday, South Korea&#39;s defence ministry said, the first since Donald Trump became US president.

The missile, launched around 7:55 am (22:55 GMT Saturday) from Banghyon air base in the western province of North Pyongan Province, flew east towards the Sea of Japan, it said.

&quot;The concrete type of the ballistic missile has yet to be identified&quot;, a defence ministry spokesman told AFP.

But Yonhap news agency said the South Korean military suspected the North might have been testing an intermediate-range Musudan missile.

North Korea in October last year tested Musudan missiles twice that were fired from the same airbase. 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

South Korean military suspected the North might have been testing an intermediate-range Musudan missile

North Korea fired a ballistic missile on Sunday, South Korea's defence ministry said, the first since Donald Trump became US president. The missile, launched around 7:55 am (22:55 GMT Saturday) from Banghyon air base in the western province of North Pyongan Province, flew east towards the Sea of Japan, it said. "The concrete type of the ballistic missile has yet to be identified", a defence ministry spokesman told AFP. But Yonhap news agency said the South Korean military suspected the North might have been testing an intermediate-range Musudan missile. North Korea in October last year tested Musudan missiles twice that were fired from the same airbase. (AFP)

North Korea test fires ballistic missile: South Korea

The UN Security Council on Monday strongly condemned North Korea after it unsuccessfully attempted to test-fire a medium-range ballistic missile. In a unanimous statement, backed by Pyongyang&#39;s ally China, the council called the attempt a &quot;grave violation&quot; and agreed to &quot;closely monitor the situation and take further significant measures,&quot; the AFP reported. 
 
North Korea, which is prohibited from using ballistic missile technology under UN sanctions, had tested the Musudan missile on Saturday, the latest in series of defiant launches.&nbsp;

The United States and China are drafting a new sanctions resolution that the Security Council agreed to last month after Pyongyang carried out its fifth and most powerful nuclear test till date, AFP reported. These are aimed at closing loopholes and and zeroing in on its nuclear and ballistic missile technology industry, Security Council diplomats told AFP. 
 
In March, the Security Council adopted its toughest sanctions against North Korea, targeting its trade in minerals and tightening banking restrictions. This was after Pyongyang&#39;s fourth nuclear test. The country has been hit by five sets of UN sanctions since it first tested a nuclear device in 2006. 
 
North Korea, however, continues to remain defiant and has carried out more than 20 missile launches since the March resolution was adopted.

(WION with inputs from AFP) 
&nbsp;

The Security Council members have agreed to 'closely monitor' the situation

The UN Security Council on Monday strongly condemned North Korea after it unsuccessfully attempted to test-fire a medium-range ballistic missile. In a unanimous statement, backed by Pyongyang's ally China, the council called the attempt a "grave violation" and agreed to "closely monitor the situation and take further significant measures," the AFP reported. North Korea, which is prohibited from using ballistic missile technology under UN sanctions, had tested the Musudan missile on Saturday, the latest in series of defiant launches. The United States and China are drafting a new sanctions resolution that the Security Council agreed to last month after Pyongyang carried out its fifth and most powerful nuclear test till date, AFP reported. These are aimed at closing loopholes and and zeroing in on its nuclear and ballistic missile technology industry, Security Council diplomats told AFP. In March, the Security Council adopted its toughest sanctions against North Korea, targeting its trade in minerals and tightening banking restrictions. This was after Pyongyang's fourth nuclear test. The country has been hit by five sets of UN sanctions since it first tested a nuclear device in 2006. North Korea, however, continues to remain defiant and has carried out more than 20 missile launches since the March resolution was adopted. (WION with inputs from AFP)

UN Security Council condemns North Korea's failed missile launch, calls it "grave violation"

North Korea has conducted yet another unsuccessful test-launch of a powerful medium-range Musudan missile, the US military said yesterday. Existing UN sanctions prohibit North Korea from using ballistic missile technology.

This makes it the seventh test-launch of the much-hyped Musudan missile which has a range of anywhere between 2500 and 4000 kilometres, making it capable of striking the US military bases in Guam, AFP reported. Only one met with partial success - the launch in June that flew 400 kilometres into the Sea of Japan.

The US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) said in a statement that the launch, detected just after midday did not pose a threat to North America.&quot;The North American Aerospace Defense Command determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America.&quot;

Saturday&#39;s launch was detected at 1203 Pyongyang time (0333 GMT) from the northwestern North Korean town of Kusong. Such launches are usually detected within hours or even minutes by the South Korean and US militaries, and it was unclear why Sunday&#39;s USSTRATCOM announcement came so long after the event, AFP reported.

There was no immediate confirmation from the South Korean side.

The June test was hailed by leader Kim Jong-Un as a complete success and proof of the North&#39;s ability to strike US bases across &quot;the Pacific operation theatre.&quot; 
 
Despite being banned by the UN, North Korea has made a number of missile-related tests this year

US weapons analysts fear that a successful Musudan testing could help the nuclear-armed country develop an operational intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of striking the US mainland.

After satellite imagery showed one of its nuclear site buzzing with activity, there are fears that the country may conduct a nuclear test as well - it has already conducted two in January and September.

The previous tests were held in 2006, 2009 and 2013.

(WION with inputs from AFP)

Existing UN sanctions prohibit North Korea from using ballistic missile technology

North Korea has conducted yet another unsuccessful test-launch of a powerful medium-range Musudan missile, the US military said yesterday. Existing UN sanctions prohibit North Korea from using ballistic missile technology. This makes it the seventh test-launch of the much-hyped Musudan missile which has a range of anywhere between 2500 and 4000 kilometres, making it capable of striking the US military bases in Guam, AFP reported. Only one met with partial success - the launch in June that flew 400 kilometres into the Sea of Japan. The US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) said in a statement that the launch, detected just after midday did not pose a threat to North America."The North American Aerospace Defense Command determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America." Saturday's launch was detected at 1203 Pyongyang time (0333 GMT) from the northwestern North Korean town of Kusong. Such launches are usually detected within hours or even minutes by the South Korean and US militaries, and it was unclear why Sunday's USSTRATCOM announcement came so long after the event, AFP reported. There was no immediate confirmation from the South Korean side. The June test was hailed by leader Kim Jong-Un as a complete success and proof of the North's ability to strike US bases across "the Pacific operation theatre." Despite being banned by the UN, North Korea has made a number of missile-related tests this year US weapons analysts fear that a successful Musudan testing could help the nuclear-armed country develop an operational intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of striking the US mainland. After satellite imagery showed one of its nuclear site buzzing with activity, there are fears that the country may conduct a nuclear test as well - it has already conducted two in January and September. The previous tests were held in 2006, 2009 and 2013. (WION with inputs from AFP)

North Korea conducts unsuccessful missile launch, says US