North Korea launched at least one ballistic missile today, South Korea’s military said, the first since the new South Korean president took office in July. Lee Jae-myungwho says he wants a rewarming of bilateral relations

The “unknown type” weapon was fired in an easterly direction, according to South Korea’s National Defense General Staff.

The staff later informed reporters via SMS that short-range missiles had been fired at 08:10 (local time; 02:00 Greek time).

These are the first side launches Pyongyang after Mr Lee (centre left), who favors appeasement with North Korea and abandoning his predecessor’s hard line, took over Yoon Seok-gilwhich led to a rapid deterioration of relations.

Pyongyang had fired short-range missiles in early May.

Moreover, the launches are recorded as its session approaches Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in the South Korean city Jeongju on October 31 and November 1, in which the American president is expected to participate in particular Donald Trump.

The Republican has said that hopes to meet with the North Korean leader Kim Jong Unpossibly this year, after three meetings during his first term — in July 2018 in Singapore, in February 2019 in Vietnam, then in June of the same year on the border of North and South Korea.

The negotiations of the two leaders had failed, with the USA not succeed in extracting any concession from North Korea to give up its nuclear arsenal.

At the end of September, Kim Jong Un he said that he is willing to restore contact with Washingtonadding that he has “good memories” by US President Trump. But only if the American side abandons the idea of ​​depriving his country of its nuclear arsenal, he clarified.

New rocket

North Korea continues parallel development programs of various weapons systems.

Also in September, Mr. Kim attended solid fuel rocket motor test for long-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. This is the ninth and most recent of this program, according to official media, which hinted at a possible test launch within months.

These types of weapons are easier and faster to develop and launch compared to liquid-fueled missiles.

Earlier this month, North Korea presented the “strongest” intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) it now has in its arsenal, during a military parade in the capital with high-ranking officials present of Russia and Chinaon the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the only party in North Korea.

This rocket, which was baptized Hwasong-20has “unlimited” range, North Korean authorities claim.

North Korea is under heavy economic sanctions from the UN because of its programs to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. But Pyongyang insists it is now “irrevocably” a nuclear power and justifies the development of these weapons citing threats to her security from the USA and their allies, especially the South Korea.

North and South Korea remain technically at war, as the Korean War (1950-1953) did not end in a peace agreement, but simply an armistice.