NOS News
•
Today, 01:29
North Korea defies its southern neighbor with new missile tests

North Korea has conducted another series of ballistic missile tests. This is what South Korea, Japan and the United States say. The missiles were fired towards the Sea of ??Japan. No damage has been reported.

Tensions in the region have increased further in recent times. That's because North Korea is increasing the number of weapons tests. The fact that South Korea is holding military exercises with the United States and Japan also plays a role.

The latest missile tests follow a failed attempt by Pyongyang to put a spy satellite into orbit around Earth. The rocket engine exploded during flight. Following this test, the UN Security Council will meet on Friday.

Weapon support
North Korea claims it already succeeded in launching a spy satellite in November. It would still function, but South Korea has expressed its doubts about this. According to Seoul, North Korea has received help from Russia in the efforts in exchange for arms support.

South Korea and the US have strongly condemned the missile tests, pointing out that they violate a series of UN resolutions.

Balloons
Yesterday, North Korea also sent more than 200 balloons containing waste to South Korea. It contained plastic bottles and batteries, as well as feces. It would be a response to balloons that South Korea had sent to the North with propaganda material.

Tensions in the region actually brought China, Japan and South Korea a little closer together this week . The countries discussed trade, but also about strengthening defenses against ballistic missiles. The latter in view of North Korea's growing number of missile tests and multi-year plans to hold joint military exercises.