The US and South Korean governments said that North Korea tried to launch a missile in observance of the birthday of Pyongyang’s founder, Kim II-sung last Friday but failed.
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Her statement came a day after local reports suggested that there had been a spike in activity around the North’s Punggye-ri nuclear test site – the same location that was used earlier this year.
This would be the country’s fifth such test, and will more than likely draw even more criticism from the global community.In March, the United Nations imposed tough new sanctions to pressure Pyongyang to comply with these restrictions, but North Korea has responded by firing of a series of short and mid-range missiles almost on a weekly basis.
Leaked US diplomatic cables in 2010 showed that US officials believe Iran acquired ballistic missile parts from North Korea, while a United Nations sanctions report in 2011 said the two countries were suspected of sharing ballistic missile technology.
Last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for further nuclear and missile tests as Pyongyang elevated its threatening rhetoric and made a series of claims about advances in its weapons capability.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye confirmed Monday that “preparations for a fifth nuclear test have been detected” in North Korea.
“We can no longer afford to be pushed around by North Korea’s deceipt and intimidation”, Lim said.
State TV would have touted a successful mobile missile launch as a grand triumph, but the US and South Korea say the early morning launch failed.There has been recent speculation in South Korea that its rival was preparing to test a medium-range missile that would be capable of reaching USA military installations in Japan and Guam.
Park’s office said Monday she and her Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani will discuss regional issues including the Korean Peninsula and ways to promote bilateral ties.
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Pang added that at the time the defense treaty was inked by both China and North Korea in 1961, the Chinese government was “immature and inexperienced” in committing itself to a “vaguely-worded treaty”.
