North Korea brazenly provokes, despite warnings

(Baonghean.vn)- In its first reaction after receiving information that North Korea launched a flying object suspected to be a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) on the afternoon of April 23, the US declared this action a "clear violation" of United Nations Security Council resolutions, and warned that it was closely monitoring Pyongyang.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un instructs the military to test-launch a ballistic missile on May 9, 2015. Photo: KCNA.

Sharing the same view with the US, British Prime Minister Philip Hammond said that Pyongyang's ballistic missile test was an act of "clear disrespect" for international obligations. US State Department spokesman John Kirby stated: "We closely monitor North Korea's activities and the situation on the Korean Peninsula, especially North Korea's military activities. Launches using ballistic missile technology are a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions. We call on North Korea to refrain from actions that further destabilize the region and instead focus on taking concrete steps towards implementing its international commitments and obligations."

Earlier, Yonhap news agency quoted the announcement of the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff that at around 6:30 p.m. local time (4:30 p.m. Vietnam time), North Korea launched a flying object suspected to be a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in the waters off the northeastern coast of South Hamkyeong Province in the Sea of ​​Japan. According to the South Korean Ministry of National Defense, the North Korean missile flew about 30 km and it appears that the launch failed.

The missile is believed to have been launched from a submarine off the east coast of North Korea. Photo: Mirror.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said the South Korean military is currently collecting relevant information about the launch, closely monitoring related movements by the North Korean side, and maintaining a high state of combat readiness./.

Lan Ha

(According to AFP)