North Korea tests missile as South Korea prepares to launch new submarine
The missile was fired at around 6:40 a.m. local time on Tuesday, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement, adding that the South Korean military “was maintaining a readiness position” for possible. additional launches “.
In a briefing Tuesday, South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Boo Seung-chan said the Pyongyang test was “unfortunate that it took place at a time when political stability on the peninsula Korean is very critical “.
The U.S. Army’s Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii said it was consulting with allies and partners about the North Korean test.
“While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies, the missile launch highlights the destabilizing impact of (Korea’s illicit weapons program). North), ”the US military said.
Pyongyang is prohibited from testing ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons under international law. Previous tests of this type have met with international stigma and sanctions from the United Nations Security Council.
News of Tuesday’s test came just before North Korean Representative Kim Song addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he lamented the division between North Korea and South Korea. and criticized the US presence in the region.
“Inter-Korean relations have never emerged from the shadow of US interference and obstruction,” he said, citing Washington’s close relations with Seoul.
The missile test is North Korea’s third this month.
South Korea’s Unification Ministry praised Kim’s message on the possibility of having “constructive” as “meaningful” discussions. The presidential Blue House has not given an official response.
“Powerful offensive means”
In his speech, Ambassador Kim accused the United States of “upsetting” his country with military exercises in the region, saying Pyongyang would be “prepared to respond willingly at any time” to friendly overtures from Washington.
In the meantime, he said, “as the whole world knows and as the United States is so concerned, powerful offensive means are, of course, included in our war deterrence.”
The United States has repeatedly condemned North Korean missile fire. On September 15, State Department spokesman Ned Price called for a diplomatic approach to the issue.
“We call on the DPRK to engage in a meaningful and substantial dialogue with us,” he said, using the acronym for North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
“We have no hostile intentions towards the DPRK. We have been very clear about this. What we seek to do is reduce the threat to the United States, to our allies in the region, and that includes the ROK (Republic of Korea or South Korea) and Japan, and we believe we can do that through diplomacy with the Republic of Korea, ”Price said.
South Korea launches new submarine
South Korea was scheduled to launch its newest submarine, the 3,000-ton Shin Chae-ho on Tuesday, Hyundai Heavy Industries, the maker of the submarine, said in a statement.
The 83.5-meter-long (274-foot) “home-made” submarine, built entirely with South Korean technology, is the third in its class and capable of being armed with the new submarine-launched ballistic missiles ( SLBM) from Seoul, which were successfully tested on September 16.
When the newest submarine joins the South Korean fleet in 2024, after undergoing further upgrades and sea trials, it will be able to accommodate a crew of 50 and remain submerged for nearly three weeks, Hyundai Heavy said. Industries.
CNN’s Jennifer Hansler, Oren Lieberman, Brad Lendon and Caitlin Hu contributed to this report.