PYONGYANG – North Korea has test-fired another medium range ballistic missile, according to U.S. and South Korean officials and later confirmed by the state-run KCNA news agency.
The medium-range rocket was launched from an area near the North Korean county of Pukchang on Sunday, and flew eastward more than 300 miles.
According to KCNA, the latest test confirmed the reliability and accuracy of the solid-fuel engine’s working and stage separation and the late-stage guidance of the nuclear warhead which was recorded by a device mounted on the warhead.
North Korea President Kim Jong-un observed the launch of the Pukguksong-2 missile and showed satisfaction over the the results, KCNA said.
“Saying with pride that the missile’s rate of hits is very accurate and Pukguksong-2 is a successful strategic weapon, he approved the deployment of this weapon system for action,” KCNA said.
In early May, the US had installed a missile defence system, Thaad, in South Korea that can intercept North missiles launched by North Korea. North Korea and its ally China have condemned the installation of the system.
However, there is no report that Thaad was used to intercept the missile fired on Sunday.
Newly-elected South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who is seeking deeper engagement with the North, has convened an urgent meeting of his national security council in response to discuss the issue.
Earlier, North Korea on May 14 test-fired a ballistic missile from a region near its west coast amid tense relation with US.
The UN Security Council had strongly condemned the North Korea’s ballistic missile test and vowed to take strict measures against the regime, including sanctions, to bar it from carrying out nuclear weapons programme.
