Korea Tensions: North 'Moves Ballistic Missile' as South Flexes Muscles With Live-fire Drill
UN holds special hearing amid rising tensions: Kim's North Korea is 'begging for war,' UN envoy Haley says
North Korea has been observed moving what appeared to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) towards its west coast, South Korea's Asia Business Daily reported on Tuesday, citing an unidentified intelligence source.
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The rocket started moving on Monday, a day after North Korea's sixth nuclear test, and was spotted moving at night to avoid surveillance, the report said. North Korea has launch facilities for its missile program on its west coast.
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South Korea's defense ministry said they were unable to confirm the contents of the report. The ministry said in parliament on Monday that North Korea was considered ready to launch more missiles, including ICBMs, at any time.
South Korea's navy conducted a live-fire exercise in waters off the country's eastern coast as Seoul continued its displays of military capability following North Korea's latest nuclear test.
Seoul's Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that warships including a 2,500-ton frigate, a 1000-ton patrol ship and 400-ton guided-missile vessels participated in drills aimed at retaliating against potential North Korean provocations.
Seoul said more naval drills are planned from Wednesday to Saturday in the country's southern seas.
The South's army and air force on Monday conducted a joint drill involving F-15 fighter jets and land-based ballistic missiles that simulated an attack on North Korea's nuclear test site to "strongly warn" Pyongyang over its sixth and most powerful nuclear test to date.
As South Korea said it was seeing preparations in the North for an ICBM test and fired missiles into the sea to simulate an attack on the North's main nuclear test site, the U.S. said North Korea's leader is "begging for war," the U.S. ambassador said Monday at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. The sessions was held as members called for punishing the country with even stronger sanctions for its powerful nuclear test.
Ambassador Nikki Haley said the U.S. would look at countries doing business with the North — which include China — and planned to circulate a resolution this week with the goal of getting it approved Sept. 11.
"Enough is enough. War is never something the United States wants. We don't want it now. But our country's patience is not unlimited," Haley said.
"The United States will look at every country that does business with North Korea as a country, that is giving aid to their reckless and dangerous nuclear intentions," she said.