Pyongyang – North Korea fires ballistic missile after Seoul’s request for an apology

PYONGYANG, October 3 /ATSH-AFP/ – Pyongyang has fired a ballistic missile towards the East Sea, South Korea’s military announced, just days after Seoul sought an apology for an explosion in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) in which three South Korean soldiers were wounded.

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the missile was launched from the Wonsan area and travelled more than 700 kilometres.

North Korea has denied responsibility for last month’s explosion and yesterday described South Korea as “disgusting”.

Seoul and the U.S.-led United Nations Command have stated that the DMZ explosion was caused by mines planted by North Korea on the southern side of the border.

According to South Korean Defence Minister Kang Shin-chul, the mines are believed to have been planted as part of Pyongyang’s efforts to fortify the border.

North Korea has also planted mines and built anti-tank barriers along the border, while leader Kim Jong Un has described South Korea as the country’s “principal enemy”.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday asked Pyongyang to return to dialogue, despite his military’s request for an apology.

But Kim Yo Jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un, rejected the proposal and called it a “crazy dream”, while describing the request for an apology as “ridiculous”.

The missile launch has been interpreted by analysts as a show of force and as a response to Seoul’s diplomatic efforts.

“Seoul called for tensions to be lowered, but Pyongyang responded by escalating them,” said Yang Moo-jin, former president of the University of North Korean Studies.

South Korea’s defence minister has warned that the military has a range of measures at its disposal to respond to the border incident.

Meanwhile, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young has proposed talks with Pyongyang on issues along the border, but the proposal was rejected by Kim Yo Jong.

The escalation comes at a sensitive moment, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent outreach efforts towards Pyongyang have raised concerns in Seoul that South Korea could be left out of possible talks on the North’s nuclear programme.

The South Korean opposition has also criticised President Lee, accusing him of not reacting harshly enough to Pyongyang after the wounding of the soldiers.