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U.S. Defense Chief Arrives in South Korea Amid News of North’s Missile Launches U.S. Defense Chief Arrives in South Korea Amid News of North’s Missile Launches
(about 14 hours later)
OSAN AIR BASE, SOUTH KOREA — Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter’s welcome present was waiting for him when he touched down here on Thursday: confirmed reports that North Korea had fired two short-range missiles off its western coast two days before his first visit to South Korea as President Obama’s new defense chief. OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea — Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter’s welcome present was waiting for him when he touched down here on Thursday: confirmed reports that North Korea had fired two short-range missiles off its western coast two days before his first visit to South Korea as President Obama’s defense chief.
South Korean officials informed their American counterparts that the North on Tuesday fired two surface-to-air missiles from Pyongwon County in South Pyongan Province. The missiles flew only a few miles before plunging into the sea, defense officials said. South Korean officials informed their American counterparts that the North on Tuesday had fired two surface-to-air missiles from Pyongwon County in South Pyongan Province. The missiles flew only a few miles before plunging into the sea, defense officials said.
Mr. Carter, who arrived here for talks with his South Korean counterparts over security measures on the Korean Peninsula, said the missile launch demonstrated how tense the region remained.Mr. Carter, who arrived here for talks with his South Korean counterparts over security measures on the Korean Peninsula, said the missile launch demonstrated how tense the region remained.
“If it was a welcome message to me, I’m flattered,” he told reporters in Japan before boarding his flight to South Korea.“If it was a welcome message to me, I’m flattered,” he told reporters in Japan before boarding his flight to South Korea.
A senior defense official, speaking to reporters aboard Mr. Carter’s plane, called the North Korean action “provocative.” He said that “you’ll have to ask the North Koreans” why they conducted the missile test so close to the arrival of the American defense secretary in South Korea, but he added that “these are the kinds of provocative acts that the alliance is designed to respond to,” referring to the military alliance between the United States and South Korea. A senior defense official, speaking to reporters aboard Mr. Carter’s plane, called the North Korean action “provocative.” He said “you’ll have to ask the North Koreans” why they conducted the missile test so close to the arrival of the American defense secretary in South Korea, but added that “these are the kinds of provocative acts that the alliance is designed to respond to,” referring to the military alliance between the United States and South Korea.
The official said that the Pentagon believed that the North Korean nuclear threat was growing.The official said that the Pentagon believed that the North Korean nuclear threat was growing.
North Korea is officially banned from conducting ballistic missile tests by United Nations resolutions but routinely does so anyway, often to express ire. The North fired a series of short-range missiles into the sea last week to register its dislike of annual United States-South Korea military drills. The North had also flouted United Nations resolutions the month before by launching two Scud-type ballistic missiles offshore, as the United States and South Korea began their annual joint military drills. At the time, the North Korean military issued a statement warning that it “will never remain a passive onlooker” to the annual joint war games, called Key Resolve and Foal Eagle. North Korea is officially banned from conducting ballistic missile tests by United Nations resolutions but routinely does so anyway, often to express anger. The North fired a series of short-range missiles into the sea last week to register its dislike of annual United States-South Korea military drills. The North had also flouted United Nations resolutions the month before by launching two Scud-type ballistic missiles offshore, as the United States and South Korea began their annual joint military drills. At the time, the North Korean military issued a statement warning that it would “never remain a passive onlooker” to the annual joint war games, called Key Resolve and Foal Eagle.
The exercises involve tens of thousands of South Korean and American troops.The exercises involve tens of thousands of South Korean and American troops.
Tensions between the United States and North Korea have been even higher than usual since a cyberattack on Sony Pictures late last year. The United States has blamed North Korea for that attack.Tensions between the United States and North Korea have been even higher than usual since a cyberattack on Sony Pictures late last year. The United States has blamed North Korea for that attack.
President Obama warned in January that a government like North Korea’s would collapse over time, saying that the democratic influences of the Internet would eventually penetrate that country.President Obama warned in January that a government like North Korea’s would collapse over time, saying that the democratic influences of the Internet would eventually penetrate that country.
Although both Washington and Seoul say their annual military exercises are defensive, Pyongyang often reacts harshly and with its own maneuvers.Although both Washington and Seoul say their annual military exercises are defensive, Pyongyang often reacts harshly and with its own maneuvers.
In March 2010, a South Korean warship exploded in waters near the border with North Korea, killing 46 sailors, and Seoul attributed it to a North Korean torpedo attack.In March 2010, a South Korean warship exploded in waters near the border with North Korea, killing 46 sailors, and Seoul attributed it to a North Korean torpedo attack.
Mr. Carter on Friday is scheduled to visit a memorial to the sailors. On Friday, Mr. Carter is scheduled to visit a memorial to those sailors.