China may have secretly set off low-level underground nuclear test explosions despite claiming to observe an international pact banning such blasts, the US State Department said in a report on Wednesday.

The finding, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, may worsen ties already strained by US charges that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted from Beijing's mishandling of a 2019 outbreak of the coronavirus in the city of Wuhan.

US concerns about Beijing's possible breaches of a "zero yield" standard for test blasts have been prompted by activities at China's Lop Nur nuclear test site throughout 2019, the State Department report said.

Zero yield refers to a nuclear test in which there is no explosive chain reaction of the type ignited by the detonation of a nuclear warhead.

"China's possible preparation to operate its Lop Nur test site year-round, its use of explosive containment chambers, extensive excavation activities at Lop Nur and a lack of transparency on its nuclear testing activities ... raise concerns regarding its adherence to the zero yield standard," the report said, without providing evidence of a low-yield test.

The 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) allows activities designed to ensure the safety of nuclear weapons.

A spokeswoman for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation, which verifies compliance with the pact, told the Wall Street Journal there had been no interruptions in data transmissions from China's five sensor stations since the end of August 2019 following an interruption that began in 2018.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a daily briefing in Beijing that China was committed to a moratorium on nuclear tests and said the United States was making false accusations.

China, estimated to have about 300 nuclear weapons, has repeatedly rejected Trump's proposal, arguing its nuclear force is defensive and poses no threat.

Russia, France and Britain - three of the world's five internationally recognised nuclear powers - signed and ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which still requires ratification by 44 countries to become international law.

China and the United States are among eight signatories that have not ratified it. But China has declared its adherence to its terms, while the United States has observed a unilateral testing moratorium since 1992.

(with inputs)

China may have secretly set off low-level underground nuclear test explosions despite claiming to observe an international pact banning such blasts, the US State Department said in a report on Wednesday.

China may have secretly set off low-level underground nuclear test explosions despite claiming to observe an international pact banning such blasts, the US State Department said in a report on Wednesday. The finding, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, may worsen ties already strained by US charges that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted from Beijing's mishandling of a 2019 outbreak of the coronavirus in the city of Wuhan. US concerns about Beijing's possible breaches of a "zero yield" standard for test blasts have been prompted by activities at China's Lop Nur nuclear test site throughout 2019, the State Department report said. Zero yield refers to a nuclear test in which there is no explosive chain reaction of the type ignited by the detonation of a nuclear warhead. "China's possible preparation to operate its Lop Nur test site year-round, its use of explosive containment chambers, extensive excavation activities at Lop Nur and a lack of transparency on its nuclear testing activities ... raise concerns regarding its adherence to the zero yield standard," the report said, without providing evidence of a low-yield test. The 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) allows activities designed to ensure the safety of nuclear weapons. A spokeswoman for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation, which verifies compliance with the pact, told the Wall Street Journal there had been no interruptions in data transmissions from China's five sensor stations since the end of August 2019 following an interruption that began in 2018. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a daily briefing in Beijing that China was committed to a moratorium on nuclear tests and said the United States was making false accusations. China, estimated to have about 300 nuclear weapons, has repeatedly rejected Trump's proposal, arguing its nuclear force is defensive and poses no threat. Russia, France and Britain - three of the world's five internationally recognised nuclear powers - signed and ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which still requires ratification by 44 countries to become international law. China and the United States are among eight signatories that have not ratified it. But China has declared its adherence to its terms, while the United States has observed a unilateral testing moratorium since 1992. (with inputs)

China may have conducted low-level nuclear test blasts, says US

January 27 in history: Ibn Saud, first nuclear tests in Nevada and lots more!

North Korea has said that its recent tests of defence technology are directed towards subduing nuclear threats from the United States, news agency Reuters reported citing North Korea's state news agency KCNA.

The state agency on Saturday had reported a senior North Korean military official saying that that "hostile forces" should not provoke North Korea. &nbsp;

Chief of the General Staff Pak Jong Chon warned that "hostile forces," including the United States, should refrain from provoking North Korea if they wanted to see a peaceful year-end, state news agency KCNA said as reported by Reuters.

The development comes shortly after North Korea said it had conducted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-conducts-another-crucial-test-at-satellite-launch-site-report-268259">another "crucial test" at its Sohae satellite launch site</a>.&nbsp;

"Another crucial test was successfully conducted at the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground from 22:41 to 22:48 on December 13," a spokesman for the North's National Academy of Defence Science said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency.

The "research successes" will be "applied to further bolstering up the reliable strategic nuclear deterrent" of North Korea, the Reuters report added quoting the spokesman. 
The announcement comes after the United States tested a medium-range ballistic missile over the Pacific Ocean on Thursday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has set a year-end deadline for talks with the United States, warning he may take an unspecified "new path" if concessions aren't made.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

North Korea has said that its recent tests of defence technology are directed towards subduing nuclear threats from the United States, news agency Reuters reported citing North Korea's state news agency KCNA.

North Korea has said that its recent tests of defence technology are directed towards subduing nuclear threats from the United States, news agency Reuters reported citing North Korea's state news agency KCNA. The state agency on Saturday had reported a senior North Korean military official saying that that "hostile forces" should not provoke North Korea. Chief of the General Staff Pak Jong Chon warned that "hostile forces," including the United States, should refrain from provoking North Korea if they wanted to see a peaceful year-end, state news agency KCNA said as reported by Reuters. The development comes shortly after North Korea said it had conducted another "crucial test" at its Sohae satellite launch site. "Another crucial test was successfully conducted at the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground from 22:41 to 22:48 on December 13," a spokesman for the North's National Academy of Defence Science said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency. The "research successes" will be "applied to further bolstering up the reliable strategic nuclear deterrent" of North Korea, the Reuters report added quoting the spokesman. The announcement comes after the United States tested a medium-range ballistic missile over the Pacific Ocean on Thursday. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has set a year-end deadline for talks with the United States, warning he may take an unspecified "new path" if concessions aren't made. (With inputs from Reuters)

North Korea's defence tests aimed at subduing US nuclear threats: State media 

Revisiting Pokhran nuclear tests that gave India 'no first use' nuclear policy

Tensions between Iran and the West have escalated since US sanctions on Iranian oil exports took full effect in May and British naval forces seized an Iranian supertanker.

Below is a timeline of recent incidents:

May 2 - The United States, which withdrew from a nuclear accord between Iran and global powers in 2018 and stepped up sanctions on Tehran, ends waivers that had allowed eight countries - China, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey - to continue buying Iranian crude

May 5 - The United States says it is deploying an aircraft carrier strike group and bombers to the Middle East, citing threats from Iran&nbsp;

May 8 - Iran announces it will relax some curbs on its nuclear programme, stopping short of violating its 2015 deal with world powers but threatening more action if countries do not shield it from US&nbsp;sanctions

May 10 - The US Maritime Administration warns of possible Iranian attacks on shipping in the Gulf

May 12 - Four ships, including two Saudi oil tankers, are attacked in the Gulf just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil shipping route. US officials pin the blame on Iran, a charge Tehran denies

June 13 - Two tankers are attacked south of the Strait of Hormuz. Washington again blames Iran and Tehran denies any role

June 20 - Iran shoots down an unmanned US surveillance drone.

July 4 - Royal Marines seize Iranian supertanker Grace 1 near Gibraltar on suspicion of violating European Union sanctions on Syria

July 5 - An Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander threatens to seize a British ship unless the Grace 1 is released

July 7 - Iran says it will boost uranium enrichment above a cap set under the 2015 nuclear deal and will reduce its commitments to the pact, drawing a warning from US President Donald Trump and expressions of concern from Germany, France and Britain

July 10 - Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose issues verbal warnings and aims its guns at boats believed to belong to Iranian Revolutionary Guards which approached BP oil tanker British Heritage at the northern entrance of the Strait of Hormuz

July 18 - The United States says USS Boxer "destroyed" an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz after it threatened the US Navy ship but Iran denies it has lost a drone

July 19 - Gibraltar extends detention of tanker Grace 1 by one month

July 19 - Iran seizes British-operated oil tankers Stena Impero and Mesdar, the latter released after receiving a warning from Iranian authorities

Tensions between Iran and the West have escalated since US sanctions on Iranian oil exports took full effect in May and British naval forces seized an Iranian supertanker.

Tensions between Iran and the West have escalated since US sanctions on Iranian oil exports took full effect in May and British naval forces seized an Iranian supertanker. Below is a timeline of recent incidents: May 2 - The United States, which withdrew from a nuclear accord between Iran and global powers in 2018 and stepped up sanctions on Tehran, ends waivers that had allowed eight countries - China, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey - to continue buying Iranian crude May 5 - The United States says it is deploying an aircraft carrier strike group and bombers to the Middle East, citing threats from Iran May 8 - Iran announces it will relax some curbs on its nuclear programme, stopping short of violating its 2015 deal with world powers but threatening more action if countries do not shield it from US sanctions May 10 - The US Maritime Administration warns of possible Iranian attacks on shipping in the Gulf May 12 - Four ships, including two Saudi oil tankers, are attacked in the Gulf just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil shipping route. US officials pin the blame on Iran, a charge Tehran denies June 13 - Two tankers are attacked south of the Strait of Hormuz. Washington again blames Iran and Tehran denies any role June 20 - Iran shoots down an unmanned US surveillance drone. July 4 - Royal Marines seize Iranian supertanker Grace 1 near Gibraltar on suspicion of violating European Union sanctions on Syria July 5 - An Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander threatens to seize a British ship unless the Grace 1 is released July 7 - Iran says it will boost uranium enrichment above a cap set under the 2015 nuclear deal and will reduce its commitments to the pact, drawing a warning from US President Donald Trump and expressions of concern from Germany, France and Britain July 10 - Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose issues verbal warnings and aims its guns at boats believed to belong to Iranian Revolutionary Guards which approached BP oil tanker British Heritage at the northern entrance of the Strait of Hormuz July 18 - The United States says USS Boxer "destroyed" an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz after it threatened the US Navy ship but Iran denies it has lost a drone July 19 - Gibraltar extends detention of tanker Grace 1 by one month July 19 - Iran seizes British-operated oil tankers Stena Impero and Mesdar, the latter released after receiving a warning from Iranian authorities

Timeline: Iran's recent clashes with the West over Gulf shipping, nuclear plans

Russia rebuffed as a baseless smear on Thursday a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-believes-russia-conducting-low-level-nuclear-tests-official-222787">US&nbsp;allegation that Moscow may be conducting low-level nuclear tests </a>in violation of a moratorium.&nbsp;

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Russia was in full compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which Moscow ratified in 2000.&nbsp;

It called for the United States itself to ratify the treaty.&nbsp;

The head of the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) said on Wednesday that Russia was probably not adhering to its nuclear testing moratorium in line with the "zero-yield" limit set by the CTBT.

"Such accusations are absolutely groundless and aimed at trying again to smear our country," the ministry statement said.

Negotiated in the 1990s, the CTBT enjoys wide global support but must be ratified by eight more nuclear technology states - among them Israel, Iran, Egypt and the United States - to come into force.&nbsp;

"We again call on the United States to show a responsible approach and to ratify the CTBT, without which its entry into force is not possible," Russia`s statement said.&nbsp;

Russia rebuffed as a baseless smear on Thursday a US allegation that Moscow may be conducting low-level nuclear tests in violation of a moratorium. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Russia was in full compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which Moscow ratified in 2000.

Russia rebuffed as a baseless smear on Thursday a US allegation that Moscow may be conducting low-level nuclear tests in violation of a moratorium. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Russia was in full compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which Moscow ratified in 2000. It called for the United States itself to ratify the treaty. The head of the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) said on Wednesday that Russia was probably not adhering to its nuclear testing moratorium in line with the "zero-yield" limit set by the CTBT. "Such accusations are absolutely groundless and aimed at trying again to smear our country," the ministry statement said. Negotiated in the 1990s, the CTBT enjoys wide global support but must be ratified by eight more nuclear technology states - among them Israel, Iran, Egypt and the United States - to come into force. "We again call on the United States to show a responsible approach and to ratify the CTBT, without which its entry into force is not possible," Russia`s statement said.

Russia calls US nuclear accusation 'smear'

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-putin-discuss-possible-new-nuclear-accord-white-house-215736">United States believes Russia </a>may be conducting low-level nuclear tests, a US&nbsp;intelligence official said on Wednesday, while the head of a body monitoring a global nuclear treaty said there was no sign of such violations by Moscow.

Negotiated in the 1990s, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) enjoys wide global support but must be ratified by eight more nuclear technology states, among them Israel, Iran, Egypt and the United States to come into force.

Russia ratified it in 2000.

However, the head of the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) said, "The United States believes that Russia probably is not adhering to its nuclear testing moratorium in a manner consistent with the ‘zero-yield’ standard."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-russia-test-tense-ties-as-pompeo-visits-putin-218519">US, Russia test tense ties as Mike Pompeo visits Russian President Vladimir Putin</a>

At an arms control forum at the Hudson Institute, DIA head Lieutenant General Robert P. Ashley said, "We believe they have the capability in the way they are set up" to conduct low-level nuclear tests that exceed the zero yield limit set in the CTBT.

There was no immediate response from the Russian government, but the head of the Russian State Duma Defense Committee, Vladimir Shamanov, told the Interfax news agency that Ashley "could not have made a more irresponsible statement".

"Nuclear tests cannot be carried out secretly," it quoted him as saying.

"These kinds of statements reveal that the professionalism of the military is systemically falling in America," Shamanov said.

The head of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Lassina Zerbo, said media reports appeared to "probably overstate" Ashley`s comments.

"It wasn`t about Russia conducting any low-yield tests but that Russia may have the capability for doing so," he told Reuters in an interview during a visit to Seoul on Thursday.

The organization`s global detection systems have not detected any tests, Zerbo said.

"We`re pretty confident that any militarily significant explosive test would not go undetected. So far we haven`t had any signal to that effect and we`re looking for further evidence."

US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus referred specific questions to the DIA, but said Russia "routinely" disregarded its international obligations and was in breach of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

"They have been in breach for several years and they have tested, produced, fielded an INF weapon ... We are certainly alarmed that they continue to disregard their international obligations as it relates to arms control."

Russia announced last month it was suspending the INF treaty after the United States said it would withdraw because of violations by Moscow. Russia denies flouting the accord and has accused Washington of breaking the accord itself.

Watch: Russian President Putin open to meet US President at G20 in June

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Ashley`s comments underscore the need for countries like the United States to ratify the CTBT, Zerbo said.

"You’re not ready to ratify the CTBT but you’re asking for someone to comply with it, so you’re referring to a treaty that seems to be important," he said. 
"If the treaty is important, why don’t we lock it in?"

The United States believes Russia may be conducting low-level nuclear tests, a US intelligence official said on Wednesday, while the head of a body monitoring a global nuclear treaty said there was no sign of such violations by Moscow.

The United States believes Russia may be conducting low-level nuclear tests, a US intelligence official said on Wednesday, while the head of a body monitoring a global nuclear treaty said there was no sign of such violations by Moscow. Negotiated in the 1990s, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) enjoys wide global support but must be ratified by eight more nuclear technology states, among them Israel, Iran, Egypt and the United States to come into force. Russia ratified it in 2000. However, the head of the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) said, "The United States believes that Russia probably is not adhering to its nuclear testing moratorium in a manner consistent with the ‘zero-yield’ standard." Also read: US, Russia test tense ties as Mike Pompeo visits Russian President Vladimir Putin At an arms control forum at the Hudson Institute, DIA head Lieutenant General Robert P. Ashley said, "We believe they have the capability in the way they are set up" to conduct low-level nuclear tests that exceed the zero yield limit set in the CTBT. There was no immediate response from the Russian government, but the head of the Russian State Duma Defense Committee, Vladimir Shamanov, told the Interfax news agency that Ashley "could not have made a more irresponsible statement". "Nuclear tests cannot be carried out secretly," it quoted him as saying. "These kinds of statements reveal that the professionalism of the military is systemically falling in America," Shamanov said. The head of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Lassina Zerbo, said media reports appeared to "probably overstate" Ashley`s comments. "It wasn`t about Russia conducting any low-yield tests but that Russia may have the capability for doing so," he told Reuters in an interview during a visit to Seoul on Thursday. The organization`s global detection systems have not detected any tests, Zerbo said. "We`re pretty confident that any militarily significant explosive test would not go undetected. So far we haven`t had any signal to that effect and we`re looking for further evidence." US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus referred specific questions to the DIA, but said Russia "routinely" disregarded its international obligations and was in breach of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty. "They have been in breach for several years and they have tested, produced, fielded an INF weapon ... We are certainly alarmed that they continue to disregard their international obligations as it relates to arms control." Russia announced last month it was suspending the INF treaty after the United States said it would withdraw because of violations by Moscow. Russia denies flouting the accord and has accused Washington of breaking the accord itself. Watch: Russian President Putin open to meet US President at G20 in June × Ashley`s comments underscore the need for countries like the United States to ratify the CTBT, Zerbo said. "You’re not ready to ratify the CTBT but you’re asking for someone to comply with it, so you’re referring to a treaty that seems to be important," he said. "If the treaty is important, why don’t we lock it in?"

US believes Russia conducting low-level nuclear tests: Official

As <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-tests-icbm-in-fresh-challenge-to-trump-25388">North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic </a>missile on Wednesday, US President Trump said his administration will impose major sanctions against Kim Jong-un&#39;s regime.

Earlier in the day, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nkorea-launch-a-grave-threat-to-entire-world-trump-moon-25386">North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic</a> missile as the Korean peninsula slipped into a major crisis mode on Wednesday morning with South Korea and Japan terming the missile tests as a &quot;violent&quot; and &quot;reckless&quot; act.

President Trump tweeted saying he spoke to Chinese President Xi on North Korea&#39;s &quot;provocative actions&quot;, adding that &quot;major sanctions will be imposed on the country&quot;.

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Just spoke to President XI JINPING of China concerning the provocative actions of North Korea. Additional major sanctions will be imposed on North Korea today. This situation will be handled!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/935881037254725632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;This situation will be handled!,&quot; the US&nbsp;president added in his tweet.

Trump during his call with Xi asked the Chinese leader to use &quot;all available levers&quot; to press North Korea.

The White House said that Trump and Xi discussed North Korea&#39;s latest ballistic missile test, with Trump again pressing China to take a tougher line against Kim.

&nbsp;

President Trump tweeted saying he spoke to Chinese President Xi on North Korea's "provocative actions", adding that "major sanctions will be imposed on the country".

As North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile on Wednesday, US President Trump said his administration will impose major sanctions against Kim Jong-un's regime. Earlier in the day, North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile as the Korean peninsula slipped into a major crisis mode on Wednesday morning with South Korea and Japan terming the missile tests as a "violent" and "reckless" act. President Trump tweeted saying he spoke to Chinese President Xi on North Korea's "provocative actions", adding that "major sanctions will be imposed on the country". Just spoke to President XI JINPING of China concerning the provocative actions of North Korea. Additional major sanctions will be imposed on North Korea today. This situation will be handled! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2017 × "This situation will be handled!," the US president added in his tweet. Trump during his call with Xi asked the Chinese leader to use "all available levers" to press North Korea. The White House said that Trump and Xi discussed North Korea's latest ballistic missile test, with Trump again pressing China to take a tougher line against Kim.

Major sanctions coming against North Korea, China must 'press all levers' to influence Kim: Trump

Japanese broadcaster TV Asahi said on Tuesday that a tunnel collapse at North Korea&#39;s nuclear site may have killed at least 200 people.

About 100 workers at the Punggye-ri nuclear site were affected by the initial collapse, which took place around September 10, the broadcaster said.

A second collapse during a rescue operation meant it was possible the death toll could have exceeded 200, TV Asahi said citing unnamed sources familiar with the situation.

A second collapse during a rescue operation meant it was possible the death toll could have exceeded 200, TV Asahi said

Japanese broadcaster TV Asahi said on Tuesday that a tunnel collapse at North Korea's nuclear site may have killed at least 200 people. About 100 workers at the Punggye-ri nuclear site were affected by the initial collapse, which took place around September 10, the broadcaster said. A second collapse during a rescue operation meant it was possible the death toll could have exceeded 200, TV Asahi said citing unnamed sources familiar with the situation.

Nuclear tunnel collapse may have killed 200 in North Korea: Report

During what was the 2017 Easter weekend for most of the world, North Koreans celebrated the &ldquo;Day of the Sun&rdquo;. It was the 105th birthday of the country&rsquo;s late founding leader and &ldquo;eternal president&rdquo; Kim Il-sung (1912-1994).

Thousands of soldiers, military vehicles and, most notably, various ballistic missiles were paraded for the inspection of current supreme leader Kim Jong-Un (Kim Il-sung&rsquo;s grandson).

But it wasn&rsquo;t the parade that signalled North Korea&rsquo;s belligerence; numerous other countries hold military parades to mark some significant occasion or another.

Instead, what was clearly aggressive was the presentation of a mock-up video of the country&rsquo;s ballistic missiles destroying an American city during a national musical performance.

This video is the most visceral expression yet of Pyongyang&rsquo;s intentions. Its telecast was likely timed to coincide with the expected arrival of the US Navy&rsquo;s aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, and its accompanying fleet of warships in Korean waters.

Inching closer

On April 8, US President Donald Trump and other American officials told the media that the Carl Vinson had been ordered to make its way towards the Korean peninsula. The likely plan was to demonstrate American resolve in managing the crisis that North Korea&rsquo;s nuclear weapons program has created.

Subsequent revelations that the warship was actually heading south for exercises with the Australian Navy at the time showed a series of blunders in internal communication. But the fact that the Carl Vinson has arrived off Korean waters two weeks later does not change the prospect of a military conflict between North Korea and the United States.

The key question is whether North Korea does have nuclear weapons that it can readily use against the United States and its regional allies, South Korea and Japan. It&rsquo;s still unlikely North Korea has the current capability to launch a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile that can destroy an American city.

North Korea&rsquo;s scientists have yet to master the technology to build missiles that can traverse this distance and to construct warheads that can survive re-entry into the Earth&rsquo;s atmosphere after space flight.

But years of testing has allowed North Korea to inch closer to getting right the extremely demanding science of building and launching viable intercontinental nuclear weapons. And this is why the United States is against further testing, to the point that the Trump administration seems serious about justifying pre-emptive strikes on the basis of further nuclear and missile tests.

What is of immediate concern is that previous tests have led to North Korea being able to achieve the relatively easier requirements of building workable medium-range ballistic missiles, with small enough warheads, to strike American bases in South Korea and Japan. These have about 80,000 US military personnel in total.

Approaching catastrophe

North Korea may already have as many 20 nuclear warheads that are small enough to be carried on its Nodong (or Rodong-1) medium-range missiles that can reach these bases. And the Trump administration seems to not want to risk the lives of American soldiers by assuming that North Korea doesn&rsquo;t already have this nuclear capability.

The cost of that mistake would be the lives of not just 80,000 American military personnel but also countless South Korean and Japanese lives as well. In fact, a North Korean nuclear attack, which will likely develop into war, can be expected to create a humanitarian, environmental and economic catastrophe that will set back the international community.

This is what&rsquo;s immediately at stake for everyone. And it explains why the United States is putting pressure on China, as an ally of North Korea, to influence it to stop its nuclear weapons program.

But if China and other countries fail to stop North Korea building nuclear weapons, the United States will feel pressured to use military force to destroy whatever nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles sites it can locate by satellite surveillance.

The decision to divert the Carl Vinson to waters near the Korean peninsula may also be driven by new intelligence on North Korea&rsquo;s nuclear threat. The challenge is that sending an American naval armada towards North Korea risks triggering the very nuclear attack against US bases that the Trump administration is trying to avoid in the first place.

This could explain why the administration said it was sending its naval vessels two weeks ago when it really did so later. It may have been to test North Korea&rsquo;s attitude without escalating the situation by the actual presence of American naval forces that could trigger military action by Kim Jong-Un&rsquo;s regime.

A worrying stand-off

Why would North Korea want to use nuclear weapons against American bases in Northeast Asia in the first place? It is helpful to remember that, technically, North and South Korea have been at war since 1950 (the Korean War ended in 1953 with an armistice rather than peace). And that the United States has chosen to provide military assistance to the South to help protect it from any aggression by the North.

North Korea may have a very large army of about one million soldiers. South Korea effectively has half that number. Although the majority of South Korea&rsquo;s able-bodied male citizens may contribute to a military reserve of a few million soldiers, mobilising them in time to respond to a conflict is another question and their role is often excluded from analyses.

As such, the American military personnel and the superior equipment, aircraft and ships that they operate provide the South with a better chance of avoiding defeat should war break out.

Pyongyang&rsquo;s intention in using nuclear weapons would be to destroy these American bases to remove the advantage they give to South Korea&rsquo;s national defence. This is why the threat of nuclear use, especially by a more brazen regime under Kim Jong-Un, needs to be taken very seriously.

Such is the current quagmire as the world waits to see how the geopolitics of the Korean peninsula will unfold over the next few months. And as strategists and policymakers scramble to find other approaches for halting North Korea&rsquo;s growing nuclear threat.

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" rel="nofollow" target="blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-north-koreas-nuclear-threat-must-be-taken-more-seriously-than-ever-76592" rel="nofollow" target="blank">original article</a>.

North Korea?s growing nuclear power intends to destroy the US army bases in Korean region

During what was the 2017 Easter weekend for most of the world, North Koreans celebrated the “Day of the Sun”. It was the 105th birthday of the country’s late founding leader and “eternal president” Kim Il-sung (1912-1994). Thousands of soldiers, military vehicles and, most notably, various ballistic missiles were paraded for the inspection of current supreme leader Kim Jong-Un (Kim Il-sung’s grandson). But it wasn’t the parade that signalled North Korea’s belligerence; numerous other countries hold military parades to mark some significant occasion or another. Instead, what was clearly aggressive was the presentation of a mock-up video of the country’s ballistic missiles destroying an American city during a national musical performance. This video is the most visceral expression yet of Pyongyang’s intentions. Its telecast was likely timed to coincide with the expected arrival of the US Navy’s aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, and its accompanying fleet of warships in Korean waters. Inching closer On April 8, US President Donald Trump and other American officials told the media that the Carl Vinson had been ordered to make its way towards the Korean peninsula. The likely plan was to demonstrate American resolve in managing the crisis that North Korea’s nuclear weapons program has created. Subsequent revelations that the warship was actually heading south for exercises with the Australian Navy at the time showed a series of blunders in internal communication. But the fact that the Carl Vinson has arrived off Korean waters two weeks later does not change the prospect of a military conflict between North Korea and the United States. The key question is whether North Korea does have nuclear weapons that it can readily use against the United States and its regional allies, South Korea and Japan. It’s still unlikely North Korea has the current capability to launch a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile that can destroy an American city. North Korea’s scientists have yet to master the technology to build missiles that can traverse this distance and to construct warheads that can survive re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere after space flight. But years of testing has allowed North Korea to inch closer to getting right the extremely demanding science of building and launching viable intercontinental nuclear weapons. And this is why the United States is against further testing, to the point that the Trump administration seems serious about justifying pre-emptive strikes on the basis of further nuclear and missile tests. What is of immediate concern is that previous tests have led to North Korea being able to achieve the relatively easier requirements of building workable medium-range ballistic missiles, with small enough warheads, to strike American bases in South Korea and Japan. These have about 80,000 US military personnel in total. Approaching catastrophe North Korea may already have as many 20 nuclear warheads that are small enough to be carried on its Nodong (or Rodong-1) medium-range missiles that can reach these bases. And the Trump administration seems to not want to risk the lives of American soldiers by assuming that North Korea doesn’t already have this nuclear capability. The cost of that mistake would be the lives of not just 80,000 American military personnel but also countless South Korean and Japanese lives as well. In fact, a North Korean nuclear attack, which will likely develop into war, can be expected to create a humanitarian, environmental and economic catastrophe that will set back the international community. This is what’s immediately at stake for everyone. And it explains why the United States is putting pressure on China, as an ally of North Korea, to influence it to stop its nuclear weapons program. But if China and other countries fail to stop North Korea building nuclear weapons, the United States will feel pressured to use military force to destroy whatever nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles sites it can locate by satellite surveillance. The decision to divert the Carl Vinson to waters near the Korean peninsula may also be driven by new intelligence on North Korea’s nuclear threat. The challenge is that sending an American naval armada towards North Korea risks triggering the very nuclear attack against US bases that the Trump administration is trying to avoid in the first place. This could explain why the administration said it was sending its naval vessels two weeks ago when it really did so later. It may have been to test North Korea’s attitude without escalating the situation by the actual presence of American naval forces that could trigger military action by Kim Jong-Un’s regime. A worrying stand-off Why would North Korea want to use nuclear weapons against American bases in Northeast Asia in the first place? It is helpful to remember that, technically, North and South Korea have been at war since 1950 (the Korean War ended in 1953 with an armistice rather than peace). And that the United States has chosen to provide military assistance to the South to help protect it from any aggression by the North. North Korea may have a very large army of about one million soldiers. South Korea effectively has half that number. Although the majority of South Korea’s able-bodied male citizens may contribute to a military reserve of a few million soldiers, mobilising them in time to respond to a conflict is another question and their role is often excluded from analyses. As such, the American military personnel and the superior equipment, aircraft and ships that they operate provide the South with a better chance of avoiding defeat should war break out. Pyongyang’s intention in using nuclear weapons would be to destroy these American bases to remove the advantage they give to South Korea’s national defence. This is why the threat of nuclear use, especially by a more brazen regime under Kim Jong-Un, needs to be taken very seriously. Such is the current quagmire as the world waits to see how the geopolitics of the Korean peninsula will unfold over the next few months. And as strategists and policymakers scramble to find other approaches for halting North Korea’s growing nuclear threat. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Why North Korea's nuclear threat must be taken more seriously than ever

The United States Thursday called on China and Russia to take &quot;direct actions&quot; to rein in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-fires-second-missile-over-japan-in-less-than-a-month-20229" target="_blank">North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;after it fired a ballistic missile over Japan</a> into the Pacific.

&quot;China supplies North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;with most of its oil. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/missile-launch-take-cover-this-is-how-japan-woke-up-friday-20231" target="_blank">Russia is the largest employer of North Korean forced labor</a>,&quot; Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement.

&quot;China and Russia must indicate their intolerance for these reckless missile launches by taking direct actions of their own.&quot;

The launch, from near Pyongyang, came after the United Nations Security Council imposed an eighth set of sanctions on the country over its ballistic missile and atomic weapons programs.

Tillerson called those fresh punitive measures &quot;the floor, not the ceiling, of the actions we should take. We call on all nations to take new measures against the Kim regime.&quot;

&quot;These continued provocations only deepen North&nbsp;Korea&#39;s diplomatic and economic isolation.&quot;

US President Donald Trump has yet to comment on the launch but according to the White House has been briefed.

The UN Security Council will hold a closed-door emergency meeting Friday at 3:00 pm (1900 GMT) at the request of the United States and Japan.&nbsp;

Tillerson&#39;s call for action came hours after the US military&#39;s regional command confirmed North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;had fired the intermediate range ballistic missile over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean, noting it had not posed a threat to North America.

It is the second time in less than a month that North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;launched a missile that flew over Japan.

Seoul&#39;s defense ministry said the latest missile probably traveled around 3,700 kilometers and reached a maximum altitude of 770 kilometers -- further and higher than the Hwasong-12 IRBM launched at the end of August.

That launch was followed by a nuclear test on September 3, its largest to date, which Pyongyang said was a hydrogen bomb small enough to fit onto a missile.

The United States Thursday called on China and Russia to take "direct actions" to rein in North Korea after it fired a ballistic missile over Japan into the Pacific

The United States Thursday called on China and Russia to take "direct actions" to rein in North Korea after it fired a ballistic missile over Japan into the Pacific. "China supplies North Korea with most of its oil. Russia is the largest employer of North Korean forced labor," Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement. "China and Russia must indicate their intolerance for these reckless missile launches by taking direct actions of their own." The launch, from near Pyongyang, came after the United Nations Security Council imposed an eighth set of sanctions on the country over its ballistic missile and atomic weapons programs. Tillerson called those fresh punitive measures "the floor, not the ceiling, of the actions we should take. We call on all nations to take new measures against the Kim regime." "These continued provocations only deepen North Korea's diplomatic and economic isolation." US President Donald Trump has yet to comment on the launch but according to the White House has been briefed. The UN Security Council will hold a closed-door emergency meeting Friday at 3:00 pm (1900 GMT) at the request of the United States and Japan. Tillerson's call for action came hours after the US military's regional command confirmed North Korea had fired the intermediate range ballistic missile over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean, noting it had not posed a threat to North America. It is the second time in less than a month that North Korea launched a missile that flew over Japan. Seoul's defense ministry said the latest missile probably traveled around 3,700 kilometers and reached a maximum altitude of 770 kilometers -- further and higher than the Hwasong-12 IRBM launched at the end of August. That launch was followed by a nuclear test on September 3, its largest to date, which Pyongyang said was a hydrogen bomb small enough to fit onto a missile.

US urges China, Russia to act after North Korea missile launch

A&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korean state agency threatened on Thursday to use nuclear weapons to &quot;sink&quot; Japan and reduce the United States to &quot;ashes and darkness&quot; for supporting a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-defiant-over-un-sanctions-as-trump-says-tougher-steps-needed-20172" target="_blank">UN&nbsp;Security Council resolution and sanctions over its latest nuclear test.</a>

The&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, which handles the&nbsp;North&#39;s external ties and propaganda, also called for the breakup of the Security Council, which it called &quot;a tool of evil&quot; made up of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-warns-us-it-will-pay-due-price-for-spearheading-un-sanctions-20062" target="_blank">&quot;money-bribed&quot; countries that move at the order of the United States</a>.

&quot;The four islands of the archipelago should be sunken into the sea by the nuclear bomb of Juche. Japan is no longer needed to exist near us,&quot; the committee said in a statement carried by the North&#39;s official KCNA news agency.

Juche is the&nbsp;North&#39;s ruling ideology that mixes Marxism and an extreme form of go-it-alone nationalism preached by state founder Kim Il Sung, the grandfather of the current leader, Kim Jong Un.

Regional tension has risen markedly since the reclusive&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-declares-h-bomb-test-a-perfect-success-19816" target="_blank">North&nbsp;conducted its sixth and by far its most powerful, nuclear test on September 3</a>, following a series of missile tests, including one that flew over Japan.

The 15-member Security Council voted unanimously on a US-drafted resolution and a new round of sanctions on Monday in response, banning&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&#39;s textile exports that are the second largest only to coal and mineral and capping fuel supplies.

The&nbsp;North&nbsp;reacted to the latest action by the Security Council, which had the backing of veto-holding China and Russia, by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-deploys-anti-missile-system-as-us-seeks-tough-north-korea-sanctions-19959" target="_blank">reiterating threats to destroy the United States, Japan and south Korea.</a>

&quot;Let&#39;s reduce the US&nbsp;mainland into ashes and darkness. Let&#39;s vent our spite with the mobilization of all retaliation means which have been prepared till now,&quot; the statement said.

Japan&#39;s Nikkei stock index and dollar/yen currency pared gains, although traders said that was more because of several Chinese economic indicators released on Thursday rather than a reaction to the&nbsp;North&#39;s latest statement.

South&nbsp;Korea&#39;s won also edged down around the same time over domestic financial concerns.

Despite the&nbsp;North&#39;s threats, South&nbsp;Korean President Moon Jae-in said he was against having nuclear weapons in his country, either by developing its own arsenal or bringing back U.S. tactical nuclear weapons that were withdrawn in the early 1990s.

&quot;To respond to&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;by having our own nuclear weapons will not maintain peace on the Korean peninsula and could lead to a nuclear arms race in&nbsp;northeast Asia,&quot; Moon said in an interview with CNN.

South&nbsp;Korea&#39;s Unification Ministry also said it planned to provide $8 million through the U.N. World Food Programme and UNICEF to help infants and pregnant women in the&nbsp;North.

The move marks Seoul&#39;s first humanitarian assistance for the&nbsp;North&nbsp;since its fourth nuclear test in January 2016 and is based on a longstanding policy of separating humanitarian aid from politics, the ministry said.

The&nbsp;North&#39;s latest threats also singled out Japan for &quot;dancing to the tune&quot; of the United States, saying it should never be pardoned for not offering a sincere apology for its &quot;never-to-be-condoned crimes against our people&quot;, an apparent reference to Japan&#39;s wartime aggression.

It also referred to South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;as &quot;traitors and dogs&quot; of the United States.

Japan criticised the&nbsp;North&#39;s statement harshly.

&quot;This announcement is extremely provocative and egregious. It is something that markedly heightens regional tension and is absolutely unacceptable,&quot; Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, visiting India, called for strict enforcement of the U.N. resolution, saying the world must force a change.

The 15-member Security Council voted unanimously on a U.S.-drafted resolution and a new round of sanctions against&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;on Monday in response to its latest and most powerful test, banning&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&#39;s textile exports that are the second largest only to coal and mineral and capping fuel supplies.

North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;had already rejected the Security Council resolution, vowing to press ahead with its nuclear and missile programmes.

A tougher initial U.S. draft of Monday&#39;s resolution was weakened to win the support of China, the North&#39;s lone major ally, and Russia. Significantly, it stopped short of imposing a full embargo on oil exports to&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea, most of which come from China.

The latest sanctions also make it illegal for foreign firms to form commercial joint ventures with North&nbsp;Korean entities.

U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed that&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;will never be allowed to threaten the United States with a nuclear-tipped missile, but has also asked China to do more to rein in its neighbour. China, in turn, favours an international response to the problem.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the international community had reached a &quot;high consensus&quot; on trying to realise a peaceful solution.

&quot;We urge the relevant directly involved parties to seize the opportunity and have the political nerve to make the correct political choice as soon as possible,&quot; Hua told a regular press briefing.

The&nbsp;North&nbsp;accuses the United States, which has 28,500 troops in South&nbsp;Korea, of planning to invade and regularly threatens to destroy it and its Asian allies.

The United States and South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;are technically still at war with&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;because the 1950-53&nbsp;Korean conflict ended with a truce and not a peace treaty.

A North Korean state agency threatened on Thursday to use nuclear weapons to "sink" Japan and reduce the United States to "ashes and darkness" for supporting a UN Security Council resolution

A North Korean state agency threatened on Thursday to use nuclear weapons to "sink" Japan and reduce the United States to "ashes and darkness" for supporting a UN Security Council resolution and sanctions over its latest nuclear test. The Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, which handles the North's external ties and propaganda, also called for the breakup of the Security Council, which it called "a tool of evil" made up of "money-bribed" countries that move at the order of the United States. "The four islands of the archipelago should be sunken into the sea by the nuclear bomb of Juche. Japan is no longer needed to exist near us," the committee said in a statement carried by the North's official KCNA news agency. Juche is the North's ruling ideology that mixes Marxism and an extreme form of go-it-alone nationalism preached by state founder Kim Il Sung, the grandfather of the current leader, Kim Jong Un. Regional tension has risen markedly since the reclusive North conducted its sixth and by far its most powerful, nuclear test on September 3, following a series of missile tests, including one that flew over Japan. The 15-member Security Council voted unanimously on a US-drafted resolution and a new round of sanctions on Monday in response, banning North Korea's textile exports that are the second largest only to coal and mineral and capping fuel supplies. The North reacted to the latest action by the Security Council, which had the backing of veto-holding China and Russia, by reiterating threats to destroy the United States, Japan and south Korea. "Let's reduce the US mainland into ashes and darkness. Let's vent our spite with the mobilization of all retaliation means which have been prepared till now," the statement said. Japan's Nikkei stock index and dollar/yen currency pared gains, although traders said that was more because of several Chinese economic indicators released on Thursday rather than a reaction to the North's latest statement. South Korea's won also edged down around the same time over domestic financial concerns. Despite the North's threats, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said he was against having nuclear weapons in his country, either by developing its own arsenal or bringing back U.S. tactical nuclear weapons that were withdrawn in the early 1990s. "To respond to North Korea by having our own nuclear weapons will not maintain peace on the Korean peninsula and could lead to a nuclear arms race in northeast Asia," Moon said in an interview with CNN. South Korea's Unification Ministry also said it planned to provide $8 million through the U.N. World Food Programme and UNICEF to help infants and pregnant women in the North. The move marks Seoul's first humanitarian assistance for the North since its fourth nuclear test in January 2016 and is based on a longstanding policy of separating humanitarian aid from politics, the ministry said. The North's latest threats also singled out Japan for "dancing to the tune" of the United States, saying it should never be pardoned for not offering a sincere apology for its "never-to-be-condoned crimes against our people", an apparent reference to Japan's wartime aggression. It also referred to South Korea as "traitors and dogs" of the United States. Japan criticised the North's statement harshly. "This announcement is extremely provocative and egregious. It is something that markedly heightens regional tension and is absolutely unacceptable," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, visiting India, called for strict enforcement of the U.N. resolution, saying the world must force a change. The 15-member Security Council voted unanimously on a U.S.-drafted resolution and a new round of sanctions against North Korea on Monday in response to its latest and most powerful test, banning North Korea's textile exports that are the second largest only to coal and mineral and capping fuel supplies. North Korea had already rejected the Security Council resolution, vowing to press ahead with its nuclear and missile programmes. A tougher initial U.S. draft of Monday's resolution was weakened to win the support of China, the North's lone major ally, and Russia. Significantly, it stopped short of imposing a full embargo on oil exports to North Korea, most of which come from China. The latest sanctions also make it illegal for foreign firms to form commercial joint ventures with North Korean entities. U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed that North Korea will never be allowed to threaten the United States with a nuclear-tipped missile, but has also asked China to do more to rein in its neighbour. China, in turn, favours an international response to the problem. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the international community had reached a "high consensus" on trying to realise a peaceful solution. "We urge the relevant directly involved parties to seize the opportunity and have the political nerve to make the correct political choice as soon as possible," Hua told a regular press briefing. The North accuses the United States, which has 28,500 troops in South Korea, of planning to invade and regularly threatens to destroy it and its Asian allies. The United States and South Korea are technically still at war with North Korea because the 1950-53 Korean conflict ended with a truce and not a peace treaty.

North Korean state agency threatens to 'sink' Japan, reduce US to 'ashes and darkness'

China said on Thursday it agreed the United Nations Security Council should take further actions against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/46-quake-detected-in-n-korea-due-to-cave-in-china-19810">North Korea in the wake of its latest nuclear test</a> while continuing to push for more dialogue to resolve the crisis on the Korean peninsula.

The United States wants the UN&nbsp;Security Council to impose an oil embargo on North Korea, ban its exports of textiles and the hiring of North Korean labourers abroad, and subject leader Kim Jong Un to an asset freeze and travel ban, according to a draft resolution seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

Pressure from Washington has ratcheted up since <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-warns-north-may-launch-icbms-after-nuclear-test-19857">North Korea conducted its sixth and largest nuclear test on Sunday</a>. That test, along with a series of missile launches, showed Pyongyang was close to achieving its goal of developing a powerful nuclear weapon that could reach the United States.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump has urged China to do more to rein in its neighbour, which has pursued its weapons programmes in defiance of UN&nbsp;sanctions and international condemnation.

China said on Thursday it hoped North Korea refrained from further challenging the international consensus.

&quot;Given the new developments on the Korean peninsula, China agrees that the UN Security Council should make a further response and take necessary measures,&quot; Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters, without elaborating.

&quot;Any new actions taken by the international community against the DPRK should serve the purpose of curbing the DPRK&#39;s nuclear and missile programmes, while at the same time be conducive to restarting dialogue and consultation,&quot; he said, using the initials of North Korea&#39;s official name, the Democratic People&#39;s Republic of Korea.

China is by far North Korea&#39;s biggest trading partner, accounting for 92 percent of two-way trade last year. It also provides tonnes of oil and fuel to the impoverished regime.

US&nbsp;Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said he had an executive order ready for Trump to sign that would impose sanctions on any country that trades with Pyongyang if the United Nations does not put additional sanctions on North Korea.

THAAD DEPLOYMENT

Amid the rising tensions, Seoul installed the four remaining launchers of the US&nbsp;anti-missile Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system on a former golf course in the south early on Thursday. Two launchers had already been deployed.

More than 30 people were wounded when around 8,000 South Korean police broke up a blockade of about 300 villagers and civic groups opposed to the THAAD system deployment, fire officials said.

&quot;It is very unfortunate there some wounded, but it was an inevitable choice in order to protect the lives of the people in this situation made serious by North Korea&#39;s recent nuclear test,&quot; South Korean Interior and Safety Minister Kim Boo-kyum told reporters.

The decision to deploy the THAAD system has drawn strong objections from China, which believes its radar could be used to look deeply into its territory and will upset the regional security balance.

China said it had lodged another stern protest over the THAAD deployment on Thursday.

&quot;We again urge South Korea and the United States to take seriously China&#39;s and regional nations&#39; security interests and concerns, stop the relevant deployment progress, and remove the relevant equipment,&quot; Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a regular media briefing.

&quot;China has already lodged stern representations with South Korea over this,&quot; he said.

MOON, ABE MEET

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in spoke at a regional meeting in the eastern Russian city of Vladivostok and agreed to try to persuade China and Russia to cut off oil to North Korea as much as possible, according to South Korean officials.

The European Union&#39;s foreign and defence ministers will discuss further sanctions for North Korea on Thursday, the bloc&#39;s top diplomat said ahead of an EU ministers&#39; meeting in the Estonian capital.

However, sanctions have so far done little to stop North Korea boosting its nuclear and missile capacity as it faces off with Trump.

China and Russia have advocated a &quot;freeze for freeze&quot; plan, where the United States and South Korea would stop major military exercises in exchange for North Korea halting its weapons programmes, but neither side appears willing to budge.

South Korean Marines wrapped up a three-day firing drill on Thursday aimed at protecting its islands just south of the border with North Korea, while the air force will finish up a week-long drill on Friday.

North Korea says it needs to develop its weapons to defend itself against what it sees as US&nbsp;aggression.

South Korea and the United States are technically still at war with North Korea after the 1950-53 Korean conflict ended with a truce, not a peace treaty.

The United States wants the UN Security Council to impose an oil embargo on North Korea, ban its exports of textiles and the hiring of North Korean labourers abroad, and subject leader Kim Jong Un to an asset freeze and travel ban

China said on Thursday it agreed the United Nations Security Council should take further actions against North Korea in the wake of its latest nuclear test while continuing to push for more dialogue to resolve the crisis on the Korean peninsula. The United States wants the UN Security Council to impose an oil embargo on North Korea, ban its exports of textiles and the hiring of North Korean labourers abroad, and subject leader Kim Jong Un to an asset freeze and travel ban, according to a draft resolution seen by Reuters on Wednesday. Pressure from Washington has ratcheted up since North Korea conducted its sixth and largest nuclear test on Sunday. That test, along with a series of missile launches, showed Pyongyang was close to achieving its goal of developing a powerful nuclear weapon that could reach the United States. US President Donald Trump has urged China to do more to rein in its neighbour, which has pursued its weapons programmes in defiance of UN sanctions and international condemnation. China said on Thursday it hoped North Korea refrained from further challenging the international consensus. "Given the new developments on the Korean peninsula, China agrees that the UN Security Council should make a further response and take necessary measures," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters, without elaborating. "Any new actions taken by the international community against the DPRK should serve the purpose of curbing the DPRK's nuclear and missile programmes, while at the same time be conducive to restarting dialogue and consultation," he said, using the initials of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. China is by far North Korea's biggest trading partner, accounting for 92 percent of two-way trade last year. It also provides tonnes of oil and fuel to the impoverished regime. US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said he had an executive order ready for Trump to sign that would impose sanctions on any country that trades with Pyongyang if the United Nations does not put additional sanctions on North Korea. THAAD DEPLOYMENT Amid the rising tensions, Seoul installed the four remaining launchers of the US anti-missile Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system on a former golf course in the south early on Thursday. Two launchers had already been deployed. More than 30 people were wounded when around 8,000 South Korean police broke up a blockade of about 300 villagers and civic groups opposed to the THAAD system deployment, fire officials said. "It is very unfortunate there some wounded, but it was an inevitable choice in order to protect the lives of the people in this situation made serious by North Korea's recent nuclear test," South Korean Interior and Safety Minister Kim Boo-kyum told reporters. The decision to deploy the THAAD system has drawn strong objections from China, which believes its radar could be used to look deeply into its territory and will upset the regional security balance. China said it had lodged another stern protest over the THAAD deployment on Thursday. "We again urge South Korea and the United States to take seriously China's and regional nations' security interests and concerns, stop the relevant deployment progress, and remove the relevant equipment," Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a regular media briefing. "China has already lodged stern representations with South Korea over this," he said. MOON, ABE MEET Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in spoke at a regional meeting in the eastern Russian city of Vladivostok and agreed to try to persuade China and Russia to cut off oil to North Korea as much as possible, according to South Korean officials. The European Union's foreign and defence ministers will discuss further sanctions for North Korea on Thursday, the bloc's top diplomat said ahead of an EU ministers' meeting in the Estonian capital. However, sanctions have so far done little to stop North Korea boosting its nuclear and missile capacity as it faces off with Trump. China and Russia have advocated a "freeze for freeze" plan, where the United States and South Korea would stop major military exercises in exchange for North Korea halting its weapons programmes, but neither side appears willing to budge. South Korean Marines wrapped up a three-day firing drill on Thursday aimed at protecting its islands just south of the border with North Korea, while the air force will finish up a week-long drill on Friday. North Korea says it needs to develop its weapons to defend itself against what it sees as US aggression. South Korea and the United States are technically still at war with North Korea after the 1950-53 Korean conflict ended with a truce, not a peace treaty.

China agrees more UN actions needed against North Korea after nuclear test

The United States&nbsp;on Monday&nbsp;said countries trading with North Korea were aiding its &quot;dangerous nuclear intentions&quot; as the United Nations Security Council mulled tough new sanctions and the isolated regime showed signs of planning more missile tests.

South Korea said it was talking to Washington about deploying aircraft carriers and strategic bombers to the Korean peninsula following the North&#39;s sixth and most powerful nuclear test&nbsp;on Sunday.

At a Security Council meeting, US Ambassador Nikki Haley said North Korea&#39;s Kim Jong Un was &quot;begging for war&quot; and urged the 15-member group to adopt the strongest possible measures to deter him.

&quot;War is never something the United States wants. We don&#39;t want it now. But our country&#39;s patience is not unlimited. We will defend our allies and our territory,&quot; Haley said.

&quot;The United States will look at every country that does business with North Korea as a country that is giving aid to their reckless and dangerous nuclear intentions,&quot; she said.

Haley said the United States will circulate a new Security Council resolution on North Korea this week and wants a vote on it&nbsp;next Monday.

China, a top trading partner with North Korea, and Russia called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

&quot;China will never allow chaos and war on the (Korean) Peninsula,&quot; said Liu Jieyi, the Chinese ambassador to the United Nations.

Russia said peace in the region was in jeopardy.

&quot;A comprehensive settlement to the nuclear and other issues plaguing the Korean peninsula can be arrived at solely through political diplomatic channels,&quot; Russia&#39;s UN&nbsp;Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said.

North Korea has been under UN&nbsp;sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs. Typically, China and Russia only view a test of a long-range missile or a nuclear weapon as a trigger for further possible UN sanctions.

US President Donald Trump had asked to be briefed on all available military options, according to his defence chief.

Officials said activity around missile launch sites suggested North Korea planned more missile tests.

&quot;We have continued to see signs of possibly more ballistic missile launches. We also forecast North Korea could fire an intercontinental ballistic missile,&quot; Jang Kyoung-soo, acting deputy minister of national defense policy, told a parliament hearing on Monday.

North Korea tested two ICBMs in July that could fly about 10,000 km (6,200 miles), putting many parts of the US&nbsp;mainland within range and prompting a new round of tough international sanctions.

The UN Security Council is mulling tough new sanctions on North Korea

The United States on Monday said countries trading with North Korea were aiding its "dangerous nuclear intentions" as the United Nations Security Council mulled tough new sanctions and the isolated regime showed signs of planning more missile tests. South Korea said it was talking to Washington about deploying aircraft carriers and strategic bombers to the Korean peninsula following the North's sixth and most powerful nuclear test on Sunday. At a Security Council meeting, US Ambassador Nikki Haley said North Korea's Kim Jong Un was "begging for war" and urged the 15-member group to adopt the strongest possible measures to deter him. "War is never something the United States wants. We don't want it now. But our country's patience is not unlimited. We will defend our allies and our territory," Haley said. "The United States will look at every country that does business with North Korea as a country that is giving aid to their reckless and dangerous nuclear intentions," she said. Haley said the United States will circulate a new Security Council resolution on North Korea this week and wants a vote on it next Monday. China, a top trading partner with North Korea, and Russia called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. "China will never allow chaos and war on the (Korean) Peninsula," said Liu Jieyi, the Chinese ambassador to the United Nations. Russia said peace in the region was in jeopardy. "A comprehensive settlement to the nuclear and other issues plaguing the Korean peninsula can be arrived at solely through political diplomatic channels," Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said. North Korea has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs. Typically, China and Russia only view a test of a long-range missile or a nuclear weapon as a trigger for further possible UN sanctions. US President Donald Trump had asked to be briefed on all available military options, according to his defence chief. Officials said activity around missile launch sites suggested North Korea planned more missile tests. "We have continued to see signs of possibly more ballistic missile launches. We also forecast North Korea could fire an intercontinental ballistic missile," Jang Kyoung-soo, acting deputy minister of national defense policy, told a parliament hearing on Monday. North Korea tested two ICBMs in July that could fly about 10,000 km (6,200 miles), putting many parts of the US mainland within range and prompting a new round of tough international sanctions.

North Korean leader 'begging for war', says US ambassador to UN

The United States on Monday urged the UN Security Council to impose the &quot;strongest possible measures&quot; against <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-warns-north-may-launch-icbms-after-nuclear-test-19857">North Korea in response to its sixth and most powerful nuclear test.</a>

&quot;Only the strongest sanctions will enable us to resolve this problem through diplomacy,&quot; US Ambassador Nikki Haley told an emergency council meeting.

After N Korea conducted 6th nuclear test, US ambassador urges UN to take measures

The United States on Monday urged the UN Security Council to impose the "strongest possible measures" against North Korea in response to its sixth and most powerful nuclear test. "Only the strongest sanctions will enable us to resolve this problem through diplomacy," US Ambassador Nikki Haley told an emergency council meeting.

US at UN urges 'strongest possible measures' to punish North Korea

North Korea today confirmed the &quot;successful&quot; launch of a medium-range ballistic missile, Pyongyang&#39;s state media reported, adding the weapon was now ready to be deployed for military action.

State-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the North&#39;s leader Kim Jong-Un oversaw yesterday&#39;s missile test, which has sparked a fresh chorus of international condemnation and threats of tougher UN sanctions.

The missile tested was the Pukguksong-2, a land-based version of Pyongyang&#39;s submarine-launched weapon, using solid-fuel that allows for immediate firing, KCNA said.

&quot;Saying with pride that the missile&#39;s rate of hits is very accurate and Pukguksong-2 is a successful strategic weapon, (Kim Jong-Un) approved the deployment of this weapon system for action,&quot; KCNA said.

&quot;Now that its tactical and technical data met the requirements of the Party, this type of missile should be rapidly mass-produced in a serial way to arm the KPA Strategic Force,&quot; Kim said, referring to the North&#39;s army, according to the KCNA report.

The missile, which was described by Washington as medium-range, was fired from Pukchang in South Pyongan province and travelled about 500 kilometres (310 miles) before landing in the Sea of Japan, according to the South&#39;s armed forces.

KCNA said the test &quot;aimed to finally verify all the technical indexes of the weapon system and thoroughly examine its adaptability under various battle conditions, before its deployment at military units for action.&quot;

The results of the test were &quot;perfect&quot;, KCNA added.

The US, South Korea and Japan sharply denounced the launch and jointly requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the matter.

The launch came just one week after the North fired a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range missile, which according to Pyongyang flew almost 800 kilometres and was capable of carrying a &quot;heavy&quot; nuclear warhead.

Analysts said the Hwasong travelled further than any previous ballistic missile launched by the North.

The May 14 launch was seen as a significant step forward as the North accelerates efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the continental United States.

The launches, and a threatened sixth nuclear test, have fuelled tension with the administration of US President Donald Trump, who has vowed that such an ICBM launch &quot;won&#39;t happen&quot;.

He warned that no option is off the table in dealing with the North&#39;s weapons program, although Washington has so far opted for sanctions and diplomatic pressure, while looking to China, the North&#39;s closest ally, to help rein in Pyongyang.

Seoul&#39;s foreign ministry slammed the &quot;reckless and irresponsible&quot; firing as &quot;throwing cold water on the hope and longing of the new government and the international community&quot; for denuclearisation and peace on the Korean peninsula.

South Korea&#39;s incoming left-leaning government has taken a more conciliatory line with Pyongyang than its conservative predecessors, but has reacted strongly to the latest two missile tests.

Pyongyang has long had missiles that can reach targets across South Korea and Japan. With an imputed range of 4,500 kilometres the Hwasong-12 also puts US bases on the Pacific island of Guam within reach.

(AFP)

The launch came a week after the North fired a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range missile, which they say flew 800 kms and can carry a 'heavy' nuclear warhead

North Korea today confirmed the "successful" launch of a medium-range ballistic missile, Pyongyang's state media reported, adding the weapon was now ready to be deployed for military action. State-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the North's leader Kim Jong-Un oversaw yesterday's missile test, which has sparked a fresh chorus of international condemnation and threats of tougher UN sanctions. The missile tested was the Pukguksong-2, a land-based version of Pyongyang's submarine-launched weapon, using solid-fuel that allows for immediate firing, KCNA said. "Saying with pride that the missile's rate of hits is very accurate and Pukguksong-2 is a successful strategic weapon, (Kim Jong-Un) approved the deployment of this weapon system for action," KCNA said. "Now that its tactical and technical data met the requirements of the Party, this type of missile should be rapidly mass-produced in a serial way to arm the KPA Strategic Force," Kim said, referring to the North's army, according to the KCNA report. The missile, which was described by Washington as medium-range, was fired from Pukchang in South Pyongan province and travelled about 500 kilometres (310 miles) before landing in the Sea of Japan, according to the South's armed forces. KCNA said the test "aimed to finally verify all the technical indexes of the weapon system and thoroughly examine its adaptability under various battle conditions, before its deployment at military units for action." The results of the test were "perfect", KCNA added. The US, South Korea and Japan sharply denounced the launch and jointly requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the matter. The launch came just one week after the North fired a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range missile, which according to Pyongyang flew almost 800 kilometres and was capable of carrying a "heavy" nuclear warhead. Analysts said the Hwasong travelled further than any previous ballistic missile launched by the North. The May 14 launch was seen as a significant step forward as the North accelerates efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the continental United States. The launches, and a threatened sixth nuclear test, have fuelled tension with the administration of US President Donald Trump, who has vowed that such an ICBM launch "won't happen". He warned that no option is off the table in dealing with the North's weapons program, although Washington has so far opted for sanctions and diplomatic pressure, while looking to China, the North's closest ally, to help rein in Pyongyang. Seoul's foreign ministry slammed the "reckless and irresponsible" firing as "throwing cold water on the hope and longing of the new government and the international community" for denuclearisation and peace on the Korean peninsula. South Korea's incoming left-leaning government has taken a more conciliatory line with Pyongyang than its conservative predecessors, but has reacted strongly to the latest two missile tests. Pyongyang has long had missiles that can reach targets across South Korea and Japan. With an imputed range of 4,500 kilometres the Hwasong-12 also puts US bases on the Pacific island of Guam within reach. (AFP)

North Korea says latest missile test 'perfect'

Dismissing all international warnings to end its nuclear programme, North Korea has carried out another successful test for a high-power rocket engine.&nbsp; 
 
North Korea&#39;s state media reported that Tuesday&#39;s ground test of a new rocket engine to launch satellites was conducted under leader Kim Jong Un&#39;s supervision. 
 
KCNA said the engine would give the country &quot;sufficient carrier capability for launching various kinds of satellites, including Earth observation satellite at a world level&quot;. 
 
It is the latest in a rapid succession of missile-tests conducted by the isolated state this year and could further advance Pyongyang&#39;s weapons programme.&nbsp; 
 
After the test, Kim Jong-Un called on scientists &quot;to round off the preparations for launching the satellite as soon as possible.&quot; 
The North indicated it may soon launch another long-range rocket.&nbsp; 
 
North Korea insisted it will continue its nuclear programme despite the five sets of United Nations sanctions against it.&nbsp; 
 
In February, it launched a satellite testing its long-range ballistic missile technology. 
 
Earlier this month, it had successfully conducted its most powerful nuclear test mounting a warhead on a missile.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

After a successful ground test, North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un asked scientists to round off preparations for the satellite launch

Dismissing all international warnings to end its nuclear programme, North Korea has carried out another successful test for a high-power rocket engine. North Korea's state media reported that Tuesday's ground test of a new rocket engine to launch satellites was conducted under leader Kim Jong Un's supervision. KCNA said the engine would give the country "sufficient carrier capability for launching various kinds of satellites, including Earth observation satellite at a world level". It is the latest in a rapid succession of missile-tests conducted by the isolated state this year and could further advance Pyongyang's weapons programme. After the test, Kim Jong-Un called on scientists "to round off the preparations for launching the satellite as soon as possible." The North indicated it may soon launch another long-range rocket. North Korea insisted it will continue its nuclear programme despite the five sets of United Nations sanctions against it. In February, it launched a satellite testing its long-range ballistic missile technology. Earlier this month, it had successfully conducted its most powerful nuclear test mounting a warhead on a missile. (WION with inputs from agencies)

North Korea conducts ground test of new rocket engine, disregards international warnings

The South Korean Defence Ministry warned that the North is ratcheting up another threat against its rivals.&nbsp; 
 
Intelligence authorities in South Korea said on Monday that Pyongyang has completed preparations for another nuclear test and could carry out the blast at any time.&nbsp; 
 
Officials in Seoul and Washington are keeping a close watch on the developments in Pyongyang.&nbsp; 
 
North Korea on Friday had conducted its fifth and most powerful atomic test that drew widespread condemnation.&nbsp; 
 
The yield from Friday&#39;s test was estimated at 10 kilotons, almost twice as much as the one conducted only eight months ago. 
 
Pyongyang said it had mastered the ability to mount a warhead on a ballistic missile and that its rivals and the United Nations have been powerless to contain the threat.&nbsp; 
 
The Seoul government official said that the North might be conducting the test in a previously unused tunnel at its Punggye-ri site.&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, South Korea and the United States held an annual dialogue to discuss several security issues including North Korea&#39;s threat.&nbsp; 
 
The United States assured its commitment to the defence of Seoul at the bilateral defence dialogue.&nbsp; 
 
On Friday, the UN Security Council also agreed to start work on new measures.&nbsp; 
 
Five sets of UN sanctions since the first nuclear test in 2006 have failed to halt the North&#39;s nuclear drive so far. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

Seoul warned that Pyongyang is prepared for an additional nuke test, just days after it set off its most powerful blast to date

The South Korean Defence Ministry warned that the North is ratcheting up another threat against its rivals. Intelligence authorities in South Korea said on Monday that Pyongyang has completed preparations for another nuclear test and could carry out the blast at any time. Officials in Seoul and Washington are keeping a close watch on the developments in Pyongyang. North Korea on Friday had conducted its fifth and most powerful atomic test that drew widespread condemnation. The yield from Friday's test was estimated at 10 kilotons, almost twice as much as the one conducted only eight months ago. Pyongyang said it had mastered the ability to mount a warhead on a ballistic missile and that its rivals and the United Nations have been powerless to contain the threat. The Seoul government official said that the North might be conducting the test in a previously unused tunnel at its Punggye-ri site. Meanwhile, South Korea and the United States held an annual dialogue to discuss several security issues including North Korea's threat. The United States assured its commitment to the defence of Seoul at the bilateral defence dialogue. On Friday, the UN Security Council also agreed to start work on new measures. Five sets of UN sanctions since the first nuclear test in 2006 have failed to halt the North's nuclear drive so far. (WION with inputs from agencies)

North Korea ready for another nuclear test: South Korea

The UN Security Council today said they will impose fresh sanctions against Pyongyang, after North Korea conducted its fifth and biggest nuclear test on its 68th anniversery.&nbsp; 
 
The first indications of an underground explosion came when seismic monitors detected a 5.3-magnitude &quot;artificial earthquake&quot; near the Punggye-ri nuclear site, Reuters reported.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Our nuclear scientists staged a nuclear explosion test on a newly developed nuclear warhead at the country&#39;s northern nuclear test site,&quot; a North Korean TV presenter said. 
 
Kim Nam-Wook of the South&#39;s meteorological agency said, &quot;The 10-kiloton blast was nearly twice the (power of the) fourth nuclear test and slightly less than the Hiroshima bombing, which was measured about 15 kilotons.&quot; 
 
World leaders condemned the test and demanded for fresh sanctions to be imposed.&nbsp; 
 
AFP quoted&nbsp;New Zealand&#39;s Ambassador Gerard van Bohemen, who holds the council&#39;s rotating presidency, as saying, &quot;The members of the Security Council will begin to work immediately on appropriate measures under article 41 in a Security Council resolution.&quot; 
 
Meanwhile, North Koreans celebrated their country&#39;s successful conduct of the nuclear test. 
 
Reuters reported state-run television KRT showing a video of North Korean people watching a performance at the Ponghwa Art Theatre and afterwards celebrating. 
 
A North Korean civilan said ,&quot;I can&#39;t put into words how glad I am after hearing the news that the Nuclear Weapons Institute successfully conducted an explosion test of a nuclear warhead.&quot; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

Pyongyang conducted the nuclear test on its 68th anniversary and claimed mounting nuclear warhead on a ballistic missile

The UN Security Council today said they will impose fresh sanctions against Pyongyang, after North Korea conducted its fifth and biggest nuclear test on its 68th anniversery. The first indications of an underground explosion came when seismic monitors detected a 5.3-magnitude "artificial earthquake" near the Punggye-ri nuclear site, Reuters reported. "Our nuclear scientists staged a nuclear explosion test on a newly developed nuclear warhead at the country's northern nuclear test site," a North Korean TV presenter said. Kim Nam-Wook of the South's meteorological agency said, "The 10-kiloton blast was nearly twice the (power of the) fourth nuclear test and slightly less than the Hiroshima bombing, which was measured about 15 kilotons." World leaders condemned the test and demanded for fresh sanctions to be imposed. AFP quoted New Zealand's Ambassador Gerard van Bohemen, who holds the council's rotating presidency, as saying, "The members of the Security Council will begin to work immediately on appropriate measures under article 41 in a Security Council resolution." Meanwhile, North Koreans celebrated their country's successful conduct of the nuclear test. Reuters reported state-run television KRT showing a video of North Korean people watching a performance at the Ponghwa Art Theatre and afterwards celebrating. A North Korean civilan said ,"I can't put into words how glad I am after hearing the news that the Nuclear Weapons Institute successfully conducted an explosion test of a nuclear warhead." (WION with inputs from agencies)

UN Security Council to impose sanctions against North Korea

North Korea fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile off its east coast, South Korea&#39;s military said today, the latest in a string of missile launches by the isolated country in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions. 
 
North Korea test-fired the missile at around 5.30 a.m. (0830 GMT) near the coastal city of Sinpo, where satellite imagery shows a submarine base to be located, an official at South Korea&#39;s joint chiefs of staff said. 
 
The launch comes two days after rival South Korea and the United States began annual military exercises in the South that North Korea condemns as a preparation for an&nbsp;invasion, and has threatened retaliation. 
 
North Korea has become further isolated after a January nuclear test, its fourth, and the launch of a long-range rocket in February brought tightened UN sanctions. 
 
It has launched numerous missiles of various types this year, including one this month that landed in or near Japanese-controlled waters. 
 
Tensions on the Korean peninsula were exacerbated by the recent defection of North Korea&#39;s deputy ambassador in London to South Korea, an embarrassing setback to the regime of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. 
 
(Reuters)

The launch comes two days after rival South Korea and the US began annual military exercises in the South that North Korea condemns

North Korea fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile off its east coast, South Korea's military said today, the latest in a string of missile launches by the isolated country in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions. North Korea test-fired the missile at around 5.30 a.m. (0830 GMT) near the coastal city of Sinpo, where satellite imagery shows a submarine base to be located, an official at South Korea's joint chiefs of staff said. The launch comes two days after rival South Korea and the United States began annual military exercises in the South that North Korea condemns as a preparation for an invasion, and has threatened retaliation. North Korea has become further isolated after a January nuclear test, its fourth, and the launch of a long-range rocket in February brought tightened UN sanctions. It has launched numerous missiles of various types this year, including one this month that landed in or near Japanese-controlled waters. Tensions on the Korean peninsula were exacerbated by the recent defection of North Korea's deputy ambassador in London to South Korea, an embarrassing setback to the regime of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. (Reuters)

North Korea test-fires submarine-launched ballistic missile: South Korea

North Korea fired a ballistic missile directly into Japanese-controlled waters for the first time today, drawing an outraged response from Tokyo and ramping up tensions with the United States and South Korea. 
 
The US military said the North had actually launched two Rodong intermediate-range missiles simultaneously, but one appeared to have exploded on take-off. 
 
The launches followed a North Korean threat of &quot;physical action&quot; over the planned deployment of a sophisticated US anti-missile system in South Korea, and came just weeks before the start of large-scale, joint South Korea-US military exercises. 
 
Abe: Serious threat against national security 
 
Japan said the one missile had landed in the Sea of Japan, some 250 kilometre off its northern coast and within the country&#39;s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). 
 
&quot;It&#39;s a serious threat against our country&#39;s security,&quot; Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters. &quot;This is an outrageous act that cannot be tolerated.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
The United States condemned what it called a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions explicitly prohibiting North Korea&#39;s use of ballistic missile technology. 
 
&quot;This provocation only serves to increase the international community&#39;s resolve to counter (North Korea&#39;s) prohibited activities,&quot; said Pentagon spokesman Gary Ross. 
 
US strategic command said the two missiles were launched from a site in western North Korea at around 7.50 am Seoul time (22:50 GMT Tuesday). 
 
&quot;Initial indications reveal one of the missiles exploded immediately after launch, while the second was tracked over North Korea and into the Sea of Japan,&quot; it said in a statement. 
 
It was the first time a North Korean missile has been fired direct into Japanese waters. The second stage of a medium-range missile fired over Japan had splashed down inside the EEZ off Japan&#39;s Pacific Ocean coast in 1998. 
 
 
Japan slams&nbsp;Pyongyang 
 
Japan&#39;s top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga slammed Pyongyang for providing no advance warning of today&#39;s test. 
 
&quot;From the perspective of the safety of aircraft and ships, it is an extremely problematic, dangerous act,&quot; Suga said. 
 
The Rodong is a scaled-up Scud variant with a maximum range of around 1,300 kilometres. 
 
Pyongyang has conducted a series of missile tests this year in defiance of UN sanctions imposed after its fourth nuclear test in January. 
 
On July 19, it launched three ballistic missiles - including one Rodong - in an exercise that the North said simulated a nuclear strike on the South. That came just days after Washington and Seoul announced an agreement to deploy the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defence, or THAAD, system in South Korea by the end of next year - a move condemned by Pyongyang and also vehemently opposed by China and Russia. 
 
South Korean foreign minister Yun Byung-Se said today&#39;s missile test only served to &quot;underline the need to deploy THAAD.&quot; 
 
Tensions building up on divided Korean peninsula&nbsp; 
 
Tensions on the divided Korean peninsula are also building up ahead of an annual South Korea-US military exercise later this month that involves tens of thousands of troops. 
 
North Korea says such drills are a provocative rehearsal for invasion, while Washington and Seoul insist they are purely defensive in nature. 
 
&quot;Our commitment to the defence of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, is ironclad,&quot; Ross said today. 
 
&quot;We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation,&quot; he added. 
 
There are nearly 30,000 US troops permanently stationed in South Korea. 
 
Pyongyang has repeatedly warned of pre-emptive nuclear strikes against the South and US targets there and elsewhere, although the main focus of its nuclear weapons programme is to develop a credible strike threat against the US mainland. 
 
Since its fourth nuclear test, North Korea has claimed a series of technical breakthroughs for its weapons programme. 
 
It said it had miniaturised a nuclear warhead and successfully tested an engine designed for an inter-continental ballistic missile that could reach the US mainland.&nbsp; 
 
While some experts say the claims are exaggerated, most acknowledge that the North&#39;s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes have made significant strides. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

US says actually two missiles had been fired, but one appeared to have exploded on take-off

North Korea fired a ballistic missile directly into Japanese-controlled waters for the first time today, drawing an outraged response from Tokyo and ramping up tensions with the United States and South Korea. The US military said the North had actually launched two Rodong intermediate-range missiles simultaneously, but one appeared to have exploded on take-off. The launches followed a North Korean threat of "physical action" over the planned deployment of a sophisticated US anti-missile system in South Korea, and came just weeks before the start of large-scale, joint South Korea-US military exercises. Abe: Serious threat against national security Japan said the one missile had landed in the Sea of Japan, some 250 kilometre off its northern coast and within the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). "It's a serious threat against our country's security," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters. "This is an outrageous act that cannot be tolerated." The United States condemned what it called a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions explicitly prohibiting North Korea's use of ballistic missile technology. "This provocation only serves to increase the international community's resolve to counter (North Korea's) prohibited activities," said Pentagon spokesman Gary Ross. US strategic command said the two missiles were launched from a site in western North Korea at around 7.50 am Seoul time (22:50 GMT Tuesday). "Initial indications reveal one of the missiles exploded immediately after launch, while the second was tracked over North Korea and into the Sea of Japan," it said in a statement. It was the first time a North Korean missile has been fired direct into Japanese waters. The second stage of a medium-range missile fired over Japan had splashed down inside the EEZ off Japan's Pacific Ocean coast in 1998. Japan slams Pyongyang Japan's top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga slammed Pyongyang for providing no advance warning of today's test. "From the perspective of the safety of aircraft and ships, it is an extremely problematic, dangerous act," Suga said. The Rodong is a scaled-up Scud variant with a maximum range of around 1,300 kilometres. Pyongyang has conducted a series of missile tests this year in defiance of UN sanctions imposed after its fourth nuclear test in January. On July 19, it launched three ballistic missiles - including one Rodong - in an exercise that the North said simulated a nuclear strike on the South. That came just days after Washington and Seoul announced an agreement to deploy the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defence, or THAAD, system in South Korea by the end of next year - a move condemned by Pyongyang and also vehemently opposed by China and Russia. South Korean foreign minister Yun Byung-Se said today's missile test only served to "underline the need to deploy THAAD." Tensions building up on divided Korean peninsula Tensions on the divided Korean peninsula are also building up ahead of an annual South Korea-US military exercise later this month that involves tens of thousands of troops. North Korea says such drills are a provocative rehearsal for invasion, while Washington and Seoul insist they are purely defensive in nature. "Our commitment to the defence of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, is ironclad," Ross said today. "We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation," he added. There are nearly 30,000 US troops permanently stationed in South Korea. Pyongyang has repeatedly warned of pre-emptive nuclear strikes against the South and US targets there and elsewhere, although the main focus of its nuclear weapons programme is to develop a credible strike threat against the US mainland. Since its fourth nuclear test, North Korea has claimed a series of technical breakthroughs for its weapons programme. It said it had miniaturised a nuclear warhead and successfully tested an engine designed for an inter-continental ballistic missile that could reach the US mainland. While some experts say the claims are exaggerated, most acknowledge that the North's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes have made significant strides. (AFP)

North Korea fires missile into Japan waters for first time, draws Tokyo ire

Amid North Korea&rsquo;s recent claim&nbsp;it&nbsp;successfully tested&nbsp;a Musudan missile&nbsp;and India&rsquo;s dream of joining the&nbsp;Nuclear Supplies Group (NSG), the article&nbsp;&lsquo;India&rsquo;s embarrassing North Korean connection&rsquo; by Nilanjana Bhowmick&nbsp;has stirred&nbsp;controversy. The India&#39;s&nbsp;MEA or the ministry of external affairs has weighed&nbsp;in to dispute the claims in it,&nbsp;calling the Bhowmick article&nbsp;&ldquo;baseless&rdquo;&nbsp;and &ldquo;without any merit&rdquo;. 
 
Delhi has denied Bhowmick&#39;s&nbsp;claim&nbsp;that India&nbsp;had violated UN sanctions by aiding&nbsp;North Korea. The report&nbsp;featured in Doha-based Al-Jazeera says that 30 North Korean students had been trained at a research centre run by the Indian government, and&nbsp;that many of these students have gone on to occupy high positions in Pyongyang. 
 
In her article, Bhowmick interviews the North Korean embassy&rsquo;s new first secretary to India, Hong Yong-il, at his South Delhi residence, where he&nbsp;reveals&nbsp;that this was&nbsp;not his first visit to India.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;In 1996, he stayed in the country for nine months, studying a course in remote sensing technology at the Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP),&rdquo; she writes.&nbsp; 
 
The Centre, located about 155 miles from the Indian capital, is affiliated to the United Nations. The article states that Yong-il was one of its&nbsp;first students from North Korea. 
 
The article reveals that there are two students from North Korea currently training at the centre&nbsp;and one of them is &ldquo;affiliated with the National Aerospace Development Administration&rdquo;. 
 
The article claims that North Korea continued sending scientists and space employees&nbsp;even after the UN issued its 2006 nuclear sanctions that barred countries from imparting technical training to North Korea. Bhowmick&#39;s&nbsp;article&nbsp;says that this came to light in an annual report to the UN&nbsp;Security Council &ldquo;only in March 2016&rdquo;. 
 
&ldquo;The repeated applications&nbsp;by North Korea, the report said, indicates the courses were relevant to its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile development programme,&rdquo; the article says.&nbsp; 
 
According to an ANI report, MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup has said that the UN panel&nbsp;of experts that deals with the UN sanctions on North Korea has made references in its report to Democratic People&#39;s Republic of Korea&#39;s (DPRK)&nbsp;participation in courses in CSSTEAP which could&nbsp;have implications for its proscribed activities. 
 
&quot;The report is subjective and based on the limited understanding of the expert(s) who have authored it. India has made its position clear in this regard to the UN Security Council. The topics covered in the courses offered by CSSTEAP are very general and cover basic principles in the respective areas,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;The course material offered to the participants is available in open-source. We believe that these courses are unlikely to contribute in any way to a violation of the various UN sanctions pertaining to Democratic People&#39;s Republic of Korea. Further, a representative of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UN-OOSA) is a permanent observer in the governing board of the centre. 
 
The advisory committee of the centre, which evaluates and reviews the course curriculum and criterion for the selection of candidates, is chaired by the Director of UN-OOSA,&quot; he added. 
 
Swarup further said that India is aware of its obligations under the UN Charter and has been exemplary in its implementation of UN sanctions, including those related to North Korea. &quot;As a country that has been a victim of proliferation in its extended neighbourhood, it is ridiculous to suggest that India has in any way aided the violation of UN sanctions on DPRK,&quot; he said.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with input&nbsp;from ANI)

The external affairs ministry said the report to UNSC mentioned in the Al-Jazeera article was prepared with 'limited understanding'

Amid North Korea’s recent claim it successfully tested a Musudan missile and India’s dream of joining the Nuclear Supplies Group (NSG), the article ‘India’s embarrassing North Korean connection’ by Nilanjana Bhowmick has stirred controversy. The India's MEA or the ministry of external affairs has weighed in to dispute the claims in it, calling the Bhowmick article “baseless” and “without any merit”. Delhi has denied Bhowmick's claim that India had violated UN sanctions by aiding North Korea. The report featured in Doha-based Al-Jazeera says that 30 North Korean students had been trained at a research centre run by the Indian government, and that many of these students have gone on to occupy high positions in Pyongyang. In her article, Bhowmick interviews the North Korean embassy’s new first secretary to India, Hong Yong-il, at his South Delhi residence, where he reveals that this was not his first visit to India. “In 1996, he stayed in the country for nine months, studying a course in remote sensing technology at the Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP),” she writes. The Centre, located about 155 miles from the Indian capital, is affiliated to the United Nations. The article states that Yong-il was one of its first students from North Korea. The article reveals that there are two students from North Korea currently training at the centre and one of them is “affiliated with the National Aerospace Development Administration”. The article claims that North Korea continued sending scientists and space employees even after the UN issued its 2006 nuclear sanctions that barred countries from imparting technical training to North Korea. Bhowmick's article says that this came to light in an annual report to the UN Security Council “only in March 2016”. “The repeated applications by North Korea, the report said, indicates the courses were relevant to its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile development programme,” the article says. According to an ANI report, MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup has said that the UN panel of experts that deals with the UN sanctions on North Korea has made references in its report to Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) participation in courses in CSSTEAP which could have implications for its proscribed activities. "The report is subjective and based on the limited understanding of the expert(s) who have authored it. India has made its position clear in this regard to the UN Security Council. The topics covered in the courses offered by CSSTEAP are very general and cover basic principles in the respective areas," he said. "The course material offered to the participants is available in open-source. We believe that these courses are unlikely to contribute in any way to a violation of the various UN sanctions pertaining to Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Further, a representative of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UN-OOSA) is a permanent observer in the governing board of the centre. The advisory committee of the centre, which evaluates and reviews the course curriculum and criterion for the selection of candidates, is chaired by the Director of UN-OOSA," he added. Swarup further said that India is aware of its obligations under the UN Charter and has been exemplary in its implementation of UN sanctions, including those related to North Korea. "As a country that has been a victim of proliferation in its extended neighbourhood, it is ridiculous to suggest that India has in any way aided the violation of UN sanctions on DPRK," he said. (WION with input from ANI)

India denies it helped North Korea in violation of UN sanctions

The United States on Wednesday declared North Korea a &quot;primary money laundering concern,&quot; and moved to further block its ability to use the U.S. and world financial systems to fund its weapons programs. 
The U.S. Treasury Department called for a prohibition on certain U.S. financial institutions opening or maintaining correspondent accounts, which are established to receive deposits from or make payments on behalf of a foreign institution, with North Korean financial institutions. 
Crucially, Treasury also prohibited the use of third parties` U.S. correspondent accounts to process transactions for North Korean financial institutions. 
The announcement came days after the latest failed missile launch by the isolated state. Tensions in the region have been high since January when North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test and then followed that with a satellite launch and test launches of various missiles. 
Those efforts have all fueled calls in Washington, and abroad, for a clampdown on Pyongyang. 
U.S. law already generally prohibited U.S. financial institutions from engaging in transactions with North Korean institutions, but Treasury`s latest actions would impose additional controls, especially the prohibitions on the use of third-country banks` U.S. accounts to process transactions for North Korea. 
&quot;This is meaningful,&quot; said Victor Cha, Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. &quot;This is designating the entire country, which means essentially that any entity that is interested in interacting with U.S. financial institutions should no longer have any business with North Korea.&quot; 
&quot;Most, if not all, entities, if faced with the choice of having access to the U.S. financial system or doing business with North Korea, are going to make the obvious choice,&quot; Cha added. 
South Korea`s foreign ministry on Thursday welcomed the move, which it said in a statement would boost the effectiveness of existing sanctions on the North and have a broader impact than a 2005 U.S. Treasury measure that targeted a bank in the Chinese territory of Macau. 
About $24 million of North Korean funds was frozen at Macau`s Banco Delta Asia (BDA) after the U.S. Treasury accused it of helping to channel earnings from the North`s illicit activities, leading to a frantic attempt by Pyongyang to retrieve the money. 
The North has since developed tactics to skirt financial restrictions by resorting to informal means to transfer money, including the use of bulk cash hand-carried by officials.&nbsp; 
Adam Szubin, acting under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said Washington expected other governments and financial authorities to make similar moves to prevent Pyongyang from &quot;abusing&quot; global financial institutions to support its development of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles. 
&quot;The regime is notoriously deceitful in its financial transactions in order to continue its illicit weapons programs and other destabilizing activities,&quot; Szubin said in a statement. 
The Treasury was required to assess North Korea`s status as a money laundering jurisdiction under the &quot;North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act,&quot; passed nearly unanimously by the U.S. Congress in February. 
A U.N. Security Council resolution in early March also required member states to sever correspondent banking relationships with North Korean financial institutions within 90 days.

The announcement came days after the latest failed missile launch by the isolated state. Tensions in the region have been high since January when North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test and then followed that with a satellite launch and test launches of various missiles.

The United States on Wednesday declared North Korea a "primary money laundering concern," and moved to further block its ability to use the U.S. and world financial systems to fund its weapons programs. The U.S. Treasury Department called for a prohibition on certain U.S. financial institutions opening or maintaining correspondent accounts, which are established to receive deposits from or make payments on behalf of a foreign institution, with North Korean financial institutions. Crucially, Treasury also prohibited the use of third parties` U.S. correspondent accounts to process transactions for North Korean financial institutions. The announcement came days after the latest failed missile launch by the isolated state. Tensions in the region have been high since January when North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test and then followed that with a satellite launch and test launches of various missiles. Those efforts have all fueled calls in Washington, and abroad, for a clampdown on Pyongyang. U.S. law already generally prohibited U.S. financial institutions from engaging in transactions with North Korean institutions, but Treasury`s latest actions would impose additional controls, especially the prohibitions on the use of third-country banks` U.S. accounts to process transactions for North Korea. "This is meaningful," said Victor Cha, Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "This is designating the entire country, which means essentially that any entity that is interested in interacting with U.S. financial institutions should no longer have any business with North Korea." "Most, if not all, entities, if faced with the choice of having access to the U.S. financial system or doing business with North Korea, are going to make the obvious choice," Cha added. South Korea`s foreign ministry on Thursday welcomed the move, which it said in a statement would boost the effectiveness of existing sanctions on the North and have a broader impact than a 2005 U.S. Treasury measure that targeted a bank in the Chinese territory of Macau. About $24 million of North Korean funds was frozen at Macau`s Banco Delta Asia (BDA) after the U.S. Treasury accused it of helping to channel earnings from the North`s illicit activities, leading to a frantic attempt by Pyongyang to retrieve the money. The North has since developed tactics to skirt financial restrictions by resorting to informal means to transfer money, including the use of bulk cash hand-carried by officials. Adam Szubin, acting under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said Washington expected other governments and financial authorities to make similar moves to prevent Pyongyang from "abusing" global financial institutions to support its development of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles. "The regime is notoriously deceitful in its financial transactions in order to continue its illicit weapons programs and other destabilizing activities," Szubin said in a statement. The Treasury was required to assess North Korea`s status as a money laundering jurisdiction under the "North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act," passed nearly unanimously by the U.S. Congress in February. A U.N. Security Council resolution in early March also required member states to sever correspondent banking relationships with North Korean financial institutions within 90 days.

US takes more steps to block North Korea's access to financial system

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