The High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor launching from a THAAD. Tensions are already high in southeast Asia without this incursion.
SOUTH Korea said that North Korea on Saturday test-fired what appeared to be a submarine-launched ballistic missile off its eastern coast.
The missile was fired from a location near the North Korean coastal town of Sinpo, where analysts have previously detected efforts by the North to develop submarine-launched ballistic missile systems, said an official from Seoul’s Defense Ministry, who didn’t want to be named, citing office rules. He couldn’t immediately confirm how far the missile travelled and where it landed.
North Korean efforts to develop submarine-launched missile systems are a serious concern for rivals and neighbours because missiles from submerged vessels are harder to detect in advance. North Korea last test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile in April, calling it as a success that strengthened its ability to attack enemies with “dagger of destruction.”
The North also test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile on December 25, 2015, but that test was seen as failure, the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said. The North first claimed a successful submarine-launched missile test in May last year.
The latest launch came a day after US and South Korean military officials said they were ready to deploy an advanced US missile defence system in South Korea to cope with North Korean threats.
Seoul and Washington launched formal talks on deploying the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, after North Korea conducted a nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch earlier this year. China, Russia and North Korea all say the THAAD deployment could help U.S. radars spot missiles in their countries.
Meanwhile, the North warned US sanctions against its leader amounted to a “declaration of war”.
