North Korea again tested two intermediate range ballistic missiles on Tuesday evening, with the presumed Musudan missiles falling into the Sea of Japan. US Strategic Command said it tracked the two launches at Wonsan at 3:56 p.m. and 6:03 p.m. Central Daylight Time. The missiles did not pose a threat to North America, STRATCOM said. The launch immediately drew condemnation from the international community. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement that the launches are in direct violation of several UN Security Council Resolutions, and are a part of “repeated provocative actions” that undermine international security. North Korea has repeatedly tested missiles this year as the US and South Korea discuss the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile system to protect from potential North Korean threats.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.