SEOUL (AFP) – Nagpakawala ang North Korea ng ballistic missile kahapon, sinabi ng South Korean defence ministry.
Inilunsad ang missile dakong 7:55 ng umaga mula sa Banghyon air base sa kanluran ng North Pyongan Province. Lumipad ito patungong silangan sa Sea of Japan (East Sea) ng halos 500 kilometro bago bumagsak sa dagat. Hindi pa matukoy ang eksaktong uri nito, ayon sa defence ministry spokesman.
‘’It is believed that today’s missile launch ... is aimed at drawing global attention to the North by boasting its nuclear and missile capabilities,’’ pahayag ng ministry. ‘’It is also believed that it was an armed provocation to test the response from the new US administration under President Trump,’’ dagdag nito.
Iniulat ng Yonhap news agency na may hinala ang South Korean military na isang intermediate-range Musudan missile ang pinakawalan ng North.
