North Korea confirmed on Monday that it had successfully tested a Hwaseong-12 medium-to-long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile. This was reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The current launch aims to selectively test medium and long-range ballistic missiles in and out of service and confirm the overall accuracy of this weapon system.
The Korean National Defense Academy has confirmed the accuracy, safety and efficiency of the Hwaseong-12-type weapon system being produced, the KCNA report said.
The United States is concerned that North Korea's escalating missile tests could herald a resumption of nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) testing, and has promised a response "designed to demonstrate our commitment to our allies," a senior US official told reporters in Washington .
“It appears that diverting the world to other issues is now benefiting North Korea,” said Markus Garlauskas, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank and former US national intelligence officer for North Korea.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said North Korea's recent flurry of missile tests was reminiscent of heightened tensions in 2017, when North Korea conducted several nuclear tests and received threats from the United States.
South Korean Defense Minister Soo Wook visited his country's army missile command on Monday to check its readiness to launch North Korean missiles, the ministry said in a statement.
"North Korea's series of missile tests, including medium-range ballistic missiles, poses a direct and serious threat to us and a serious challenge to international peace and stability," Suh said after the briefing. "We will maintain full combat readiness to respond immediately to any situation."
Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi told reporters that North Korea was stepping up its provocations against the international community and said its "marked improvement" in missile technology was "unacceptable".
