South Korea fires warning shots at North Korea over ‘unidentified flying object’

After a previous test on May 14, the council met to discuss tightening sanctions but there was no concrete action.

It is still unclear whether the unspecified object was a ballistic missile.

Wang’s statement further said Beijing had seen a “new change” on the part of South Korea with its willingness to “actively seek appropriate channels for dealing with the THAAD missile systems issue”.

The launch was the latest in a series this year as Pyongyang steps up its efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of hitting the United States. Sales to Chinese visitors were down 40 percent at Lotte Duty Free, a Lotte spokesman said previously, adding that they usually make up 70 per cent of the company’s overall sales. “We are working with our Interagency partners on a more detailed assessment”.

After North Korea conducted a nuclear test in September a year ago, the government widened the criteria for those who are targeted with re-entry bans and asset freezes in December.

In 2000, then-South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-il held a historic summit in Pyongyang, producing a landmark agreement on reconciliation and economic cooperation between the two rival Koreas. But the test was North Korea’s second in a week and South Korea’s new liberal government said it dashed its hopes for peace. While this might seem like just more saber-rattling from Pyongyang’s leadership given the relatively continuous chain of test launches since President Donald Trump’s inauguration (a total of 10 so far this year), this launch and the launch on May 13 carry a bit more weight.

The provocation came hours after Moon announced the appointment of Chung Eui-yong, a former diplomat and politician, as his national security advisor.

The news was confirmed by state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), which said that Kim “expressed his great satisfaction” with the results from the test launch.

A week ago, the North test-fired what is believed to be an intermediate-range ballistic missile from Kusong, North Pyongan Province.

The solid-fuel Pukguksong-2 missile flew about 500 kilometers (310 miles) and reached a height of 560 kilometers (350 miles) on Sunday before plunging into the Pacific Ocean.

USA officials apparently feel that Chinese pressure was behind North Korea’s apparent reluctance to conduct a nuclear test, and some have suggested a shift in US strategy to one emphasizing dialogue.

Unidentified objects which flew across the border from the North were probably propaganda balloons, South Korea’s military said Wednesday.