North Korea fired six short-range projectiles into the sea Thursday in a show of defiance just hours after the United Nations adopted the toughest sanctions to date on Pyongyang over its fourth nuclear test and rocket launch.
Limited displays of
military firepower have become a routine response by North Korea to
international pressure over anything from its nuclear weapons program to its
human rights record.
South Korea’s defence ministry said the six projectiles —
either rockets or guided missiles — fell into the sea around 100-150 kilometres
(60-90 miles) off the North’s eastern coast.
The launches came after the UN Security Council unanimously
passed a resolution late Wednesday imposing new sanctions after seven weeks of
arduous negotiations between the United States and China, Pyongyang’s sole
major ally.
All eyes are now on
China and Russia to see if they fully enact the sweeping measures.
The sanctions break
new ground, requiring all countries to inspect cargo destined for and coming
from North Korea, in all airports and sea ports.
They also ban or
restrict exports of coal, iron and iron ore and other minerals from North
Korea, and prohibit the supply of aviation fuel including rocket fuel.