South Korea, Japan say North Korea tested ballistic missile again

Photo released by North Korea’s Central News Agency without a date shows a missile launch by the country – Photo: YONHAP

Yonhap news agency, citing South Korea’s military, said North Korea fired a ballistic missile on May 7, just three days before the inauguration of new South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

According to the South Korean military, North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile. This missile is believed to be launched from a submarine (SLBM) into the waters off the east coast of Korea at about 12:07 (Vietnam time) on May 7. The launch site is from the Sinpo area, where North Korea keeps its submarines as well as SLBM test-firing devices.

Japan’s Defense Ministry also tweeted that North Korea may have launched a ballistic missile. The Japanese Coast Guard said the missile was launched at about 12:25 am Vietnam time, based on information from the Japanese Ministry of Defense.

Japanese broadcaster NHK, citing government sources, said the missile fell outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

Earlier, on May 4, South Korea and Japan said North Korea fired a ballistic missile off the east coast of the country. According to Reuters, during the event, Pyongyang vowed to develop its nuclear force “at the fastest possible rate”.

The US assesses that North Korea is preparing the Punggye-ri nuclear test site. The country may be in a state of readiness to conduct a nuclear test here, as early as this month.

It appears that Pyongyang is preparing to conduct a test of a tactical nuclear warhead, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. When the test happens will largely depend on when the infrastructure – such as underground tunnels and technology – is ready.