WWNC – North Korea launched a ballistic missile over Japan on Wednesday, drawing international condemnation for its longest-range test to yet. In response, South Korea and the US military launched a barrage of missiles into the sea, Seoul claimed.
Tuesday’s test launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) by nuclear-armed North Korea was the farthest ever, sending it soaring over Japan for the first time in five years and triggering a warning for locals to seek shelter.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea reported on Wednesday that South Korean and American forces responded by staging their own missile rehearsal.
According to a statement, both sides launched two ATACMS short-range ballistic missiles developed in the US. Separately, the military verified that a South Korean Hyunmoo-2 missile failed shortly after launch and crashed, but there were no deaths.
The European Union called the test a “reckless and deliberately provocative action,” US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida denounced it in the “strongest terms,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres denounced the launch and said it was a violation of Security Council resolutions.
The United States requested a meeting of the UN Security Council on Wednesday to discuss North Korea, but diplomats said China and Russia are opposed to the 15-member body holding a public discussion.
