Kim Jong Un sparks WW3 worry after launching ballistic missile in direction of UK ally
Kim Jong Un has sparked WW3 fears after North Korea fired a ballistic missile towards Japan, putting regional defence forces on red alert
Kim Jong-un has sparked fresh WW3 fears after North Korea fired a suspected ballistic missile (file photo)(Image: KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Image)
Kim Jong-un has sparked fresh World War Three fears after North Korea fired a suspected ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan.
The rogue nation launched the weapon northeastwards from its eastern coast on Sunday (August 20), sending shockwaves through neighbouring nations. The missile soared roughly 440km (273 miles) and reached a peak altitude of around 60km (37 miles) before splashing down into the Sea of Japan, outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
Officials confirmed there have been no immediate reports of damage to ships or aircraft in the area, but defence forces remain on alert. Prime Minister Takaichi immediately ordered officials to gather and analyse information.
The rogue nation launched the weapon northeastwards from its eastern coast on Sunday (file photo)(Image: JUNG YEON-JE, AFP via Getty Images)
They were also asked to provide the public with accurate updates and check the safety of aircraft and ships in the area.
Meanwhile, emergency teams have been instructed to take all necessary precautions in case the trigger-happy regime launches a follow-up attack.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the weapon was unleashed near Wonsan and revealed they have strengthened surveillance and are maintaining a state of readiness while sharing information closely with the US and Japan.
The missile soared roughly 440km and reached a peak altitude of around 60km (file photo)
It marks the ninth ballistic missile launch by Pyongyang this year, fuelling growing panic over Kim’s rapidly escalating weapons program.
It comes as US President Donald Trump is reportedly making a desperate bid to win back the North Korean tyrant as his foreign policy strategy crumbles.
The 80-year-old commander-in-chief, who famously boasted that he and the dictator “fell in love” over a series of cosy letters, was claimed last month to be badgering top aides to arrange a face-to-face summit.
Reports suggested Trump was scrambling to resurrect his failed first-term mission to convince Kim to ditch his nuclear warheads.
He is understood to be eyeing up November’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China, as the backdrop for the reunion.
In a frantic push to get the meeting booked, Trump was reportedly even prepared to ditch the standard presidential playbook by scrapping strict preconditions before sitting down with the brutal dictator.
