North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the sea
North Korea, which has nuclear weapons, has recently carried out several weapons tests, including a long-range missile.
10/19/2021
North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the sea, continuing a series of tests started it a few weeks ago, said Tuesday the South Korean army. The projectile was reportedly launched from a submarine, the South Korean military said. "It would be an SLBM fired by North Korea," said a statement. The nuclear-armed North Korea recently carried out several weapons tests, including a long-range missile, a weapon fired from a train, and a missile touted as hypersonic by Pyongyang.
During the reign of Kim Jong-un , North Korea strengthened its military arsenal and made immense progress despite international sanctions taken due to its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. Last week, the North Korean leader blamed Washington for these tensions, saying the United States was the “root cause” of instability on the Korean Peninsula. "There is no reason to believe that they are not hostile," he said.
Washington open for discussion
The new shot comes as Sung Kim, current US President special representative Joe Biden's for North Korea, has called for talks with Pyongyang. "We will continue the diplomatic path with North Korea in order to make tangible progress that will improve the security of the United States and our allies," Sung Kim said on Monday, after a meeting with his southern counterpart. Korean Noh Kyu-duk in Washington.
In 2018, Kim Jong-un was the first North Korean leader to meet with a sitting US president. But discussions have stalled since the second summit with Donald Trump in Hanoi in 2019, which failed on the relief of international sanctions and the gestures Pyongyang was prepared to concede in return. Washington has repeatedly reiterated its willingness to meet with North Korean officials anytime and anywhere, without preconditions.