North Korea launched an โunidentifiedโย missile from Pyongyang over Japan on Thursday, South Koreaโsย Yonhap Newsย agency reported,ย the latest in a series of recent provocative actions by the country that also included an underground detonation of a nuclear device.
Loading ...North Koreaโs latest action is likely to further escalate tensions with the international community, which has increasingly tried to rein in Kim Jong-unโs regime as pursues itsย nuclear and missile programs.
The United Nations Security Council passed new sanctions in August targeting North Korean trade, but so far attempts to pressure Pyongyang to halt its weapons tests have failed.
Despite years of international pressure, North Korea has made rapid technological advancements in its nuclear and missile capabilities, particularly this year.
Pyongyang launched a ballistic missile that flew over northern Japan in late August and conducted itsย most powerful nuclear detonationย to date on Sept. 3.
President Donald Trump has responded to North Koreaโs actions with a series of threats against Pyongyang, including a vow to meet its aggression with โfire and fury.โ He has also said he was consideringย cutting off tradeย with any country that does business with North Korea.
White House officials have often tried to walk back Trumpโs more volatile statements.
The U.S. has been testingย missile defense systemsย throughout the year and, as part of such efforts, in late August shot down a intermediate range ballistic missile near Hawaii. On Sept. 7, the U.S. deployed moreย missile defense launchersย for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, or THAAD, to South Korea amid objections from China.
