On Saturday, may 4, Seoul (South Korea) reported that the DPRK conducted a new test shells short range. According to the joint chiefs of staff of South Korea, the launch of several unidentified projectiles launched at 9:06 (20:06 Eastern time Friday) from the East coast of the country towards the sea of Japan. The location of the launch — naval base, located in the coastal town of Wonsan (Gangwon province).
«The North has carried out several launches of unidentified missiles from your city on the Eastern coast of Wonsan in a northeastern direction today from 9:06 to 9:27 am», — stated in the message of the joint chiefs of staff of South Korea.
The shells flew 70-200 km (43-125 miles), before crashed into the sea. How many of them were released exactly is unknown. Japan has already stated that these shells were no threat to her.
Bloomberg reported that in the initial report in the Korean war, published just after 9am, it was about short-range missiles. Later the joint chiefs of staff of South Korea changed the term to «shells of unknown sample,» saying that for the sake of clarity requires a careful analysis.
Given that trump has discussed with Kim Jong-UN voluntary curtailment programs to test missiles and nuclear weapons, in this case extremely important details. If the incident included short-range missiles, there is a possibility that the United States will not interpret this case as a violation of the promises of the leader of North Korea to refrain from testing.
Currently, the South Korean authorities and the U.S. analyze this situation and «examine the details of launching missiles.»
«We know about North Korea tonight. We will continue to monitor [the situation] as necessary», — said the press Secretary of the White house Sarah Sanders.
Trump also commented on the incident on Twitter, saying Kim Jong UN «would not violate [given to him] promise» or «to harm the huge economic potential of North Korea».
Anything in this very interesting world is possible, but I believe that Kim Jong Un fully realizes the great economic potential of North Korea, & will do nothing to interfere or end it. He also knows that I am with him & does not want to break his promise to me. Deal will happen!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 4, 2019
«Everything in this very interesting world possible, but I think Kim Jong UN is well aware of what North Korea has huge economic potential, and will not stand in his way. Besides, he knows I’m on his side, and does not want me to violate these promises. We will conclude an agreement [on nuclear disarmament]!».
If it is confirmed that Pyongyang tested missiles it will be the first such trial in North Korea since the end of 2017 and the first after US President Donald trump and the country’s leader Kim Jong-UN met at a summit in Hanoi (Vietnam) in February 2019 — then the heads of the two countries failed to reach agreement on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. In April of the same year, the DPRK announced the successful test of a new type of tactical guided weapons.
