North Korea launches two more missiles

Kim Jong Un’s regime has conducted a series of short-range ballistic missile tests in recent weeks

(FILES) In this file photo taken on August 16, 2019 and released on August 17 by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows the test-firing of a new weapon, presumed to be a short-range ballistic missile, at an undisclosed location. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed displeasure on August 20, 2019 about North Korea's series of missile tests, but said he wants to resume negotiations on denuclearization with Pyongyang. In an interview with CBS, the chief US diplomat noted the six tests of short-range ballistic missiles that North Korea has conducted in recent weeks, and appeared to diverge slightly with President Donald Trump, who have dismissed the tests as unthreatening and insignificant."I wish they would not do that," Pompeo said of the tests.

 - South Korea OUT / ---EDITORS NOTE--- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO/KCNA VIA KNS" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS / THIS PICTURE WAS MADE AVAILABLE BY A THIRD PARTY. AFP CAN NOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, LOCATION, DATE AND CONTENT OF THIS IMAGE ---
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North Korea launched another series of missiles on Saturday, the latest in the most prolific series of tests since US President Donald Trump took office.

South Korea's defence ministry said two missiles were launched from south Hamkyong. They landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, Japan's coastguard said.  The US assessed that two short-range missiles were fired in the direction of the Sea of Japan, about 15 minutes apart, officials told CNN.

Kim Jong Un’s regime has conducted a series of short-range ballistic missile tests in recent weeks as he seeks a more favourable negotiating framework in nuclear talks with Mr Trump. The US leader has said the tests shouldn’t disrupt talks, so long as Mr Kim doesn’t launch longer-range missiles that could strike the American homeland.

South Korea’s presidential office will convene a national security meeting on North Korea’s launches at 8:30am local time, it said in a text message. Japan’s defence ministry said it was aware of the launches and would update with any more available information.

North Korea has issued several statements in recent days saying that military moves by the US and South Korea are making it more difficult for the country to participate in talks. On Friday, North Korea’s top diplomat accused Secretary of State Michael Pompeo of undermining negotiations, even as Trump’s nuclear envoy, Stephen Biegun, was in Seoul.