People watch a TV news programme reporting North Korea's firing of projectiles with a file image of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Photo: AP Photo
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https://scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3024242/north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-oversees-test-super-large East Asia
North Korea tests ‘super-large multiple rocket launcher’, Trump ‘not happy’ about it
- North Korea fired what appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast, the South Korean military said
- Analysts said it appeared to be at least the fourth new missile system unveiled by North Korea since stalled denuclearisation talks in February
A ballistic missile being launched from an unknown location in North Korea early on July 31. Photo: Handout via AFP
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the test of a “super-large multiple rocket launcher” on Saturday, state news agency KCNA reported.
US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he was “not happy” about North Korea’s latest missile test but played down the seriousness of the incident.
“I’m not happy about it but then again he’s not in violation of the agreement,” Trump told reporters on the sidelines of the G7 summit.
However, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe contradicted Trump, saying: “The launch of short-range ballistic missiles by North Korea clearly violates the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
“It was extremely regrettable for us.”
North Korea fired what appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast, the South Korean military said, the latest in a series of launches in recent weeks amid stalled denuclearisation talks.
Photos released by North Korean state media showed rockets launching from large tubes mounted on the back of an eight-wheel vehicle.
Analysts said it appeared to be at least the fourth new missile system unveiled by North Korea since denuclearisation talks stalled at a February summit between Kim and Trump.
North Korea must step up development of new strategic and tactical weapons to counter “ever-mounting military threats and pressure offensive of the hostile forces,” Kim said on Saturday, according to KCNA.
North Korea’s young defence scientists who developed the missiles are a “precious treasure and wealth of the country which cannot be bartered for anything,” Kim said.
On Saturday, a KCNA commentary said North Korea “will never barter the strategic security of the country for the sanctions relief”.
American officials have been trying to restart the stalled talks with North Korea over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, which are heavily sanctioned.
After the latest tests, Trump again touted his good relationship with Kim and said the North Korean leader had been “pretty straight with me”.