A ballistic missile was launched from a submarine in North Korea towards the Sea of Japan. This was supported by the South Korean military army, specifying that it would be a short-range ballistic missile, presumably a SLBM, an acronym for «submarine-launched ballistic missile».
The launch was recorded around 10.17 local time from a site near Sinpo, in South Hamgyong province, on the country’s east coast. The carrier would have covered a trajectory of 430-450 km before ending up in the Sea of Japan, with a maximum altitude of 60 km.
Over the past year, the country, which has a submarine base and launch equipment, has carried out at least eight. The last of the tests with ballistic missiles dates back to 2019. North Korea therefore continues to work on its weapons, despite the United Nations resolutions, which subject these types of tests to sanctions.
The launch took place – it seems not by chance – while envoys from South Korea, the United States and Japan were gathered in Washington to discuss efforts to promote the resumption of talks with Pyongyang, South Korean news agency Yonhap recalls. “Council members expressed great regret at the launch while active consultations are underway with the United States, China, Japan, Russia and other countries to promote the peace process on the Korean peninsula,” a statement read. “The members of the Council – continues the text – reaffirmed that stability on the Korean peninsula is more important than ever and urged North Korea to proceed with the dialogue for peace on the Korean peninsula as soon as possible”.
According to Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, on the basis of the surveys carried out, two missiles were launched yesterday by the country. The prime minister, Fumio Kishida, described the tests carried out in recent weeks as “deplorable”, reassuring them of the absence of victims and damage.
“Deep regret” was also expressed today by the National Security Council of South Korea, which urged Pyongyang to resume peace talks as soon as possible. Negotiations on the dismantling of the nuclear program have been stalled since February 2019, when a summit in Vietnam between then-US President Donald Trump and North leader Kim Jong Un failed. “The intelligence authorities of South Korea and the United States are currently conducting an in-depth analysis regarding further details on the missile,” announced the Seoul military leaders.