North Korea ‘test fires short-range missiles’ for the first time since 2017

North Korea has tested several short-range missiles, according to reports from South Korea, its neighbour.

They were reportedly fired from the Hodo peninsula in the east of the country, said South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. This will be the first missile launch since Pyongyang tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in November 2017.

Last month Pyongyang said it had tested what it described as a new “tactical guided weapon”. That was the first test since the Vietnam summit between the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, and US President Donald Trump, which ended without an agreement.

Firing a short range missile would not violate North Korea’s promise not to test long range or nuclear missiles, but Pyongyang appears to be growing impatient with Washington’s insistence that full economic sanctions remain until Kim takes serious steps to dismantle his nuclear weapons programme, says the BBC’s Laura Bicker.

“We are aware of North Korea’s actions tonight. We will continue to monitor as necessary”  said White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders.