North Korea launched eight ballistic missiles into the sea on Sunday as dictator Kim Jong Un tried to establish the country as a global military force with nuclear capabilities.
The North fired missiles for 35 minutes near the capital Pyongyang, the South Korean military confirmed.
The latest provocation is the 18th round of missile tests by the North this year and came just one day after the South conducted a naval drill in the Philippine Sea alongside US aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan, reported the Associated Press.
The North is preparing a nuclear test camp in the city of Punggye-ri as it plans to launch its first nuclear test since 2017, the AP reported, citing US and South Korean officials. The North has conducted six nuclear tests since 2006, according to the news service.
South Korea reported that the missiles were launched for 35 minutes on Sunday, June 5. AP North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests since 2006.AP
The United States had pushed the UN Security Council to impose more sanctions on the North amid escalating tensions over continued missile tests last month, but Russia and China vetoed the move.
Kim has tried to make a global statement about the capacity of the North, pushing for the development of weapons that could even reach the American continent.
Discussions on nuclear disarmament between the United States and the North hit a wall on sanctions against the North in 2019. Experts believe Kim’s strategy with increasing arms demonstrates that he will be able to negotiate from d ‘a position of strength, according to AP.
With post cables