President Park Geun-hye on Monday called on the military to prepare practical measures against North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities, and to maintain readiness so that any attempt or provocation can lead to the collapse of the communist regime.
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North Korea leader Kim Jong-un on Thursday boasted that the latest submarine-launched missile test was the “greatest success”, putting the USA mainland and the Pacific “within the striking range”.
Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Saturday condemned North Korea for test-firing a submarine-launched ballistic missile in defiance of United Nations resolutions.
It blasted Pyongyang for its diversion of resources “to the pursuit of ballistic missiles”, highlighting that while the North chose such a program its citizens “have great unmet needs”.
Since late July, Seoul and the South Korean Embassy in China have issued a multitude of safety and travel advisories for those who live or plan to visit regions near the North Korea-Chinese border.
In a press statement issued Friday night, the 15-member Council also strongly condemned North Korea’s ballistic missile launches conducted on August.
A press statement approved by all 15 members deplored thefact that the North’s ballistic missile activities arecontributing to its development of nuclear weapon deliverysystems and increasing tensions.
An unnamed spokesperson of the North’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency on Sunday that the USA and its allies had “once again carried out a grave hostile act” against the country by objecting to its “self-defense measure”.
The missile flew about 500 km toward Japan, surpassing the flight distance of 300 km which South Korean defense ministry regards as a success.
Wednesday’s launch was the latest in a series of missile, rocket and other weapon tests this year by North Korea, which is openly pushing to acquire a wider range of nuclear weapons, including those capable of striking targets as far away as mainland United States. North Korea has threatened retaliation for these exercises, which it views as a rehearsal for invasion by the US and other adversaries. Considering the potential for a North Korea SLBM strike, Lewis also says South Korea should consider deploying two THAAD anti-missile batteries to its soil, not just one.
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The council said these were all “in grave violation” of United Nations resolutions banning the use of ballistic missile technology.
