South Korea says first North Korean missile test following Biden’s Asia trip was intercontinental ballistic missile

The launches follow fears that Pyongyang would conduct a nuclear test during the US president’s visit

Biden and South Korea’s Yoon Suk-yeol had discussed expanded military exercises to counter Kim Jong-un’s sabre rattling

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un watches a military parade to mark the 90th anniversary of North Korea’s army in Pyongyang in April. Photo: Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

Published: 6:47am, 25 May 2022Updated: 10:15am, 25 May 2022

The South Korean government said on Wednesday the first of three missiles launched by North Korea in the morning was believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The missiles were fired just hours after US President Joe Biden left the region following a trip in which he agreed to boost measures to deter the nuclear-armed state.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said the three ballistic missiles were fired from the Sunan area of North Korea’s capital.

The launches mark the latest in a blitz of sanctions-busting weapons tests by Pyongyang this year, and come after fears that leader Kim Jong-un would carry out a nuclear test while Biden was in the region.

While in South Korea, Biden joined newly elected President Yoon Suk-yeol for talks, including discussing expanded military exercises to counter Kim’s sabre rattling.

But they also offered to send Covid-19 vaccines as the isolated North is battling its first confirmed outbreak.