North Korea launches missile after US envoy leaves Seoul

North Korea launched 3 missiles in May – Photo: REUTERS

The launch came a day after the top US envoy left Seoul.

The Japan Coast Guard also confirmed the North Korean missile launch.

In recent weeks, North Korea has launched a series of missiles, including the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Last month North Korea launched three missiles. Pyongyang has ramped up upgrading its weapons program this year despite facing economic sanctions.

American and South Korean officials have warned for weeks that Pyongyang could conduct a seventh nuclear test.

According to AFP news agency, satellite images show that despite struggling with a recent COVID-19 outbreak, North Korea continues to build a nuclear reactor that has long been decommissioned.

On June 3, South Korea’s special envoy for peace and security affairs on the Korean peninsula, Kim Gunn, and his US counterpart Sung Kim and Japan’s top nuclear envoy Takehiro Funakoshi. met in Seoul to discuss trilateral cooperation and the North Korea issue.

This is the first direct three-way talks since Yoon Suk Yeol took office as president of South Korea last month.

The officials reaffirmed their commitment to finding ways to resume dialogue with Pyongyang to achieve the ultimate goal of complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

Mr. Sung Kim said the US is preparing for any unusual situations with close coordination with allies Japan and South Korea.