N.Korea fires missiles as U.S., Japan, S.Korea leaders meet
- 10 years ago
The US, South Korea and Japan meet in the Netherlands for talks on North Korea.
But just as these world leaders sat down to discuss how to thaw chilly ties between Pyongyang and its Asian neighbours, North Korea test-fired two medium-range ballistic missiles.
It is the first launch of a Rodong missile since 2009 and marks a step up from the short-range rockets Pyongyang has fired in recent weeks.
South Korea condemned the launch, which violates UN resolutions.
(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) SOUTH KOREA'S DEFENCE MINISTRY SPOKESMAN, KIM MIN-SEOK, SAYING:
"As you know, the Rodong missile can attack neighbouring countries. Especially because it has a range which is able to hit most Japanese islands."
Tokyo ordered increased surveillance after the firing off North Korea's east coast towards Japan.
(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE DEFENSE MINISTER, ITSUNORI ONODERA, SAYING:
"There were two launched as if to match the timing of when Japan, the United Stat
But just as these world leaders sat down to discuss how to thaw chilly ties between Pyongyang and its Asian neighbours, North Korea test-fired two medium-range ballistic missiles.
It is the first launch of a Rodong missile since 2009 and marks a step up from the short-range rockets Pyongyang has fired in recent weeks.
South Korea condemned the launch, which violates UN resolutions.
(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) SOUTH KOREA'S DEFENCE MINISTRY SPOKESMAN, KIM MIN-SEOK, SAYING:
"As you know, the Rodong missile can attack neighbouring countries. Especially because it has a range which is able to hit most Japanese islands."
Tokyo ordered increased surveillance after the firing off North Korea's east coast towards Japan.
(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE DEFENSE MINISTER, ITSUNORI ONODERA, SAYING:
"There were two launched as if to match the timing of when Japan, the United Stat