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North Korea defies US, sanctions with new missile tests

* Seoul says seven ballistic missiles fired g Analyst sees possible link to UN sanctions
* S Korea, Japan condemn ‘provocative’ act

SEOUL: North Korea fired seven ballistic missiles on Saturday, South Korea’s Defence Ministry said, in an act of defiance towards the United States that further stoked regional tensions already high due to its nuclear test in May.

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said the missiles test-fired were “Scud-type”, marking an escalation of recent sabre-rattling by the reclusive North, which has fired several non-ballistic, short-range missile since the May 25 nuclear test.

North Korea is barred by United Nations resolutions from firing ballistic missile such as the Scud. A South Korean Defence Ministry official said more launches could come soon.

An anonymous South Korean official quoted by Yonhap said the launch may have been intended to send a message to Washington, the North’s main foe who for years has been trying to press Pyongyang to end its atomic ambitions and rein in missiles that threaten US allies South Korea and Japan.

Peter Beck, an expert on Korean affairs at the American University in Washington, said, “If the North Koreans are trying to get out attention, it is difficult to see what they are actually trying to accomplish.” South Korea’s Defence Ministry confirmed the North fired seven missiles off its east coast from morning to late afternoon that flew about 250 miles and splashed into the sea.

‘Provocative’ act: “It is a provocative act that clearly violates UN Security Council resolutions,” Yonhap quoted a statement from South Korea’s Foreign Ministry as saying.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement, the country “strongly protests and regrets today’s missile launches by North Korea as they are a serious act of provocation against the security of neighbouring countries, including Japan”.

Sanctions: The US envoy who coordinates sanctions against the North, was in China earlier this week to enlist Beijing’s help in getting tougher with North Korea.

Daniel Pinkston, with the International Crisis Group in Seoul, said the test helps the North’s military in its missile capabilities and could also be linked to the sanctions. “The sanctions raised the cost of products such as missile systems. Buyers, who are taking increased risks, want to be assured about the quality and reliability of the product,” said Pinkston. reuters

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