North Korea tests South Korean leader’s resolve with missile

Alex Jensen

SEOUL

North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile early Sunday, according to South Korea’s military – prompting Seoul’s new leader, Moon Jae-in, to convene an emergency security meeting.

“North Korea fired an unidentified missile at around 5.27 a.m. [1027GMT] today from an area in the vicinity of Kusong, North Pyongan Province,” the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

The projectile traveled around 700 kilometers [434 miles] before landing in open water east of the Korean Peninsula in the direction of Japan.

Pyongyang has carried out dozens of missile tests under ruler Kim Jong-un, but launch Sunday was the first since Moon took office last Wednesday.

The South Korean president has repeatedly pledged to seek dialogue with North Korea, having served as chief of staff when the last inter-Korean summit took place in 2007.

Moon, however, may anger the U.S. and conservatives at home if he pursues such talks without Pyongyang’s willingness to abandon its nuclear weapon ambitions.

Seoul is working with its U.S. ally to determine what kind of missile was fired Sunday.

The North is barred from ballistic missile technology under multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions.