Reversal News Desk,
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with South Korea’s acting President Choe Sang-mok in Seoul. Al Jazeera reported that North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the sea while Blinken was meeting in Seoul.
The missile fired from North Korea on Monday (January 6) flew 1,100 kilometers east and landed in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.
South Korea’s military said it was believed to be a medium-range ballistic missile. The missile was detected shortly after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with South Korean acting President Choe Sang-mok. Surveillance has been stepped up since the incident.
Japan’s Defense Ministry said the missile fell outside its exclusive economic zone. There were no reports of damage to any ships or aircraft.
Blinken and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul both condemned the North Korean launch at a joint news conference. Washington’s top diplomat called it “yet another violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.”
“North Korea has tested a missile during my visit to Seoul,” Blinken told the news conference. “Today’s launch is a reminder of how important our cooperation is,” he said.
Washington must deepen its cooperation with South Korea and Japan to deter a reckless North Korea, he said.
Pyongyang last fired at least seven short-range ballistic missiles from its east coast on November 5. The latest launch was during Blinken’s visit today.
Al Jazeera’s Patrick Folk from Seoul says the timing of the missile launches is significant for several reasons. The incident comes just weeks before Donald Trump takes office in the United States.
South Korean lawmakers voted last month to impeach and remove President Yun Suk-yeol from office. Yun’s impeachment trial is underway at the Constitutional Court. South Korean investigators have sought an arrest warrant for the former leader. The country is facing political turmoil.
