The United States believes that North Korea fired ballistic missiles last weekend, diplomatic sources said, as cited by the Japanese media on Thursday
TOKYO (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 09th May, 2019) The United States believes that North Korea fired ballistic missiles last weekend, diplomatic sources said, as cited by the Japanese media on Thursday.However, Washington refrained from identifying the missiles as ballistic because the fact could hamper the efforts of US President Donald Trump toward the denuclearization of the country, the sources explained to Tokyo-based Kyodo news.
"If they do publicly say that there was a ballistic missile, it could jeopardize the talks. They could opt to just keep it a secret," a Japanese government source said.
North Korean alleged launches of ballistic missiles in the past were condemned by the United Nations Security Council. The recent move may trigger a new session of the UN body, and subsequently, more sanctions against the communist nation.
Ballistic missiles usually follow a so-called ballistic trajectory to deliver warheads on a predetermined target. Unlike cruise missiles, ballistic missiles are only guided during a short period of flight.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are running high following recent Pyongyang's launches of various types of projectiles. On April 4, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said that Pyongyang had launched several short-range projectiles from the city of Wonsan toward the Sea of Japan.
A day later, the North Korean news agency claimed that the country tested large-caliber long-range multiple rocket launchers and tactical guided weapons. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was observing the drill, the agency added.
