Nuclear-armed North Korea fired a ballistic missile over Japan today in a major escalation that triggered global alarm and a furious response from the government in Tokyo. The test, one of the most provocative ever from the reclusive state, came as US and South Korean forces conduct annual military exercises on the peninsula, angering North Korea which sees them as a preparation for invasion.A visibly unsettled Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said it was an “unprecedented, serious and grave threat”, while the UN Security Council called an emergency meeting at Tokyo and Washington’s request. The last time a North Korean rocket overflew Japan was in 2009, when Pyongyang said it was a satellite launch.Washington, Seoul and Tokyo believed it was a clandestine test of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
Pyongyang last month carried out two overt ICBM tests that appeared to bring much of the US mainland within reach for the first time and heightened strains. China, the North’s key ally, urged restraint on all sides, with foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying saying the situation had reached a “tipping point” but warning pressure and sanctions “cannot fundamentally solve the issue”. Russia, which also has ties to Pyongyang, said it was “extremely worried”, hitting out at a “tendency towards escalation”.
Abe, Trump to hike pressure on North“We must immediately hold a meeting at the UN, and further strengthen pressure against North Korea. Increasing pressure, Japan and the US are in complete agreement about this.”— Shinzo Abe, Japanese PM”The two leaders agreed that North Korea poses a direct threat to the US, Japan, and South Korea, as well as to countries around the world. ” — White House All options on table: US Prez
“Threatening and destabilising actions only increase the North Korean regime’s isolation in the region and among all nations of the world. All options are on the table. The world has received North Korea’s latest message loud and clear: this regime has signalled its contempt for its neighbours, for all members of the United Nations, and for minimum standards of acceptable international behaviour.” — Donald Trump,
