Seoul, Sep 13 (EFE).- North Korea on Wednesday launched two short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan at a time when leader Kim Jong-un is in Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin.
In a statement, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said that it had detected two short-range ballistic missiles launched by North Korea from the Sunan area (just outside Pyongyang) towards the East Sea (also known as the Sea of Japan) between 11:43 am and 11:53 am on Wednesday.
The Japanese government also reported the detection of the launch – the 24th by North Korea this year – as did the Japanese Coast Guard, which said that the missiles fell into the water a few minutes after being launched.
The last time North Korea carried out a similar launch – on Aug. 30 -, it announced days later that it had simulated a tactical nuclear attack as the missiles detonated over a target island.
The launch comes at a time when Kim Jong-un is in Russia to close a possible agreement to exchange weapons and military resources.
The agreement would violate the resolutions against the North Korean regime approved by the UN Security Council, of which Russia is a permanent member.
Last week, The New York Times daily reported that Kim planned to travel to Russia to meet Putin.
According to the newspaper, Putin wants North Korea to send artillery and anti-tank missiles to Russia, which Moscow could use in Ukraine, while Pyongyang is seeking advanced technology for the manufacture of satellites and nuclear-powered submarines, as well as food aid. EFE
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