Analyst Kim Dong-yub at Seoul's Institute for Far Eastern Studies said the projectiles, which showed longer range than North Korea's previously known KN-01 anti-ship cruise missiles, were likely from a new cruise missile system the North displayed during a massive April 15 military parade.
The aim of the missile test, the statement said, was to confirm the functionality of the rocket and the caterpillar pad vehicle carrying it, as well as the weapon system combat application. So far, the North has launched 16 missiles in 10 tests so far in 2017, with Thursday's launch reportedly created to show off its ability to hit warships.
It said the missiles flew about 200km.
"North Korea has been stepping up missile tests.in order to project an image to the world that worldwide sanctions can never bring it to its knees", Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies told AFP.
Trump has called on China to use its relationship as North Korea's chief ally to exert pressure on Kim to rein in his nuclear ambitions.
The launches come less than a week after the United Nations expanded sanctions against Pyongyang in response to recent ballistic missile tests.
Meanwhile, South Korea suspended temporarily the further deployment of the advanced U.S. missile defense system known as THAAD over certain bureaucratic irregularities surrounding its installation.
MAY 14: North Korea fires a newly developed Hwasong-12 missile that it says can carry a heavy nuclear warhead.
NBA Finals 2017: Warriors vs
Now Cleveland , which a year ago became the first team to recover from a 3-1 Finals deficit, faces historically long odds again. Now Game 4 is setting up to be a coronation for the greatest team in National Basketball Association postseason history.
Leader Kim Jong-un has spoken of his aim to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of hitting the mainland United States with a nuclear weapon.
Following Thursday's test launch, South Korea said its neighbor is trying to showcase its capabilities in an effort to deter any future joint US-South Korean naval drills.
South Korea discovered a suspected North Korean drone on a mountain near its shared border Friday, according to the military, that believes the device was conducting reconnaissance. On Tuesday, the U.S. Navy said its Nimitz carrier left San Diego to join the Carl Vinson and Ronald Reagan as part of a routine deployment.
"North Korea fired multiple unidentified projectiles, assumed to be surface-to-ship missiles, this morning from the vicinity of Wonsan, Gangwon province", the statement read.
MAY 21: North Korea tests a solid-fuel Pukguksong-2 missile that is harder for outsiders to detect before launch.
North Korea has been regularly conducting missile tests, firing off everything from ballistic missiles to surface-to-air missiles to coastal defense cruise missiles.
His British counterpart Matthew Rycroft pointed out that - unlike ballistic missile launches - the cruise missile tests, while "irresponsible" and "destabilizing", probably do not violate United Nations resolutions barring Pyongyang from engaging in ballistic missile activity. This puts the USA state of Alaska within range, and Washington is concerned by what it considers the clear and realistic threat posed by North Korea. His decision to suspend the installation could strain relations with the White House, which has taken a hard line in confronting North Korea and its nuclear weapons program.
Comments