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North Korea ready to mass-produce, deploy new missile

SEOUL — North Korea said on Monday (May 22) it is ready to start mass-producing and deploying a new medium-range missile that can reach Japanese and American targets, following a test launch it says is an “answer” to US President Donald Trump’s policies.

A man watches a television showing a news report on North Korea's latest missile test of a Pukguksong-2, at a railway station in Seoul on May 22, 2017. Photo: AFP

A man watches a television showing a news report on North Korea's latest missile test of a Pukguksong-2, at a railway station in Seoul on May 22, 2017. Photo: AFP

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SEOUL — North Korea said on Monday (May 22) it is ready to start mass-producing and deploying a new medium-range missile that can reach Japanese and American targets, following a test launch it says is an “answer” to US President Donald Trump’s policies.

The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the North’s leader, Kim Jong-un, oversaw Sunday’s launch, with Mr Kim saying “with pride” that the Pukguksong-2 was a “very accurate” missile and a “successful strategic weapon”. He also “approved the deployment of this weapon system for action”.

The launch “completely verified” the reliability and accuracy of the device, and its late-stage warhead guidance system, KCNA said, adding that the test results were “perfect”.
Images carried by the Rodong Sinmun — the official mouthpiece of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea — showed a smiling Mr Kim clapping, surrounded by his aides in an outdoor observation post as the missile was launched.

The Pukguksong-2, described by Washington as a medium-range missile, was fired from Pukchang in South Pyongan province and travelled about 500km before landing in the Sea of Japan, said the South Korean military. 

It sparked a fresh chorus of international condemnation and threats of tougher sanctions.

“We absolutely cannot tolerate the missile launch on May 21, and repeated provocative remarks and actions by North Korea,” Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Monday.

“It is important to lower North Korea’s foreign currency earnings, and prevent nuclear-missile-related shipment and technological transfer in order to prevent North Korea’s nuclear-missile development. We will fully implement our own sanctions against North Korea.”

China repeated its call for all parties to exercise restraint, to not exacerbate tensions.

“The (United Nations) Security Council has clear stipulations prohibiting DPRK from using ballistic missiles, and China opposes this as well,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular press briefing, using the initials of North Korea’s official name.

“The situation on the Korean peninsula is complex and sensitive. We urge all sides to avoid provoking each other and continue on the right track of dialogue and consultation.” 

The North Korean media has also stepped up its calls for even more missile launches, because of what Pyongyang claims is an increasingly hostile policy by Mr Trump.  

“The Trump administration would be well advised to lend an ear to the voices of concern that are heard from the US and the international community,” the North’s Minju Joson newspaper said in a commentary on Sunday. 

Pyongyang’s latest launch came just one week after the North fired a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range missile, which according to Pyongyang is capable of carrying a “heavy nuclear warhead”.

Analysts said that with a range of 4,500km, the Hwasong-12 has a striking reach farther than any previous ballistic missile launched by the North, putting US bases on the Pacific island of Guam within reach — and that it could serve as a platform to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile. AGENCIES

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