North Korea fires another missile towards the sea

Shortly after the arrival of a US aircraft carrier in South Korea, the regime in Pyongyang drew attention to itself with a new missile launch. A naval maneuver with the participation of the USA is to start shortly.

According to the South Korean military, North Korea launched another ballistic missile towards the open sea on Sunday. This was reported by the South Korean news agency Yonhap, citing the military. The rocket, which is not described in detail, flew in the direction of the Sea of ​​Japan (Korean: East Sea). Further details were not initially announced. The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan docked in the South Korean coastal city of Busan on Friday to take part in a planned naval maneuver between the two countries off the Korean peninsula. The maneuver should also serve as a deterrent against North Korea.

UN resolutions prohibit North Korea from testing ballistic missiles of any range, which, depending on the design, can also carry a nuclear warhead. Most recently, in June, North Korea fired eight short-range ballistic missiles from at least four different locations towards the open sea in the east. North Korea is also reportedly preparing to launch a submarine ballistic missile.

Tensions in the region have risen following a series of nuclear-capable missile tests by North Korea this year. Most recently, the parliament of the largely isolated country passed a law on its nuclear policy. Among other things, this provides for the use of nuclear weapons not only in the event of an attack by enemy forces, but also in the event of an impending attack on the leadership. Negotiations between the US and North Korea have been at a standstill since a failed summit between the two countries in Vietnam in February 2019.