North Korea confirms weapons testing

SEOUL, South Korea -- North Korea confirmed early today that it had fired multiple rocket launchers and "tactical guided weapons" from its east coast on Saturday under the supervision of leader Kim Jong Un.

The test, which experts said included a short-range ballistic missile, does not invalidate North Korea's self-declared November 2017 moratorium on intercontinental ballistic missile tests.

Kim urged his troops to bear in mind "the iron truth that genuine peace and security are ensured and guaranteed only by powerful strength," the state-run Korean Central News Agency said.

On Saturday, President Donald Trump left the door open to diplomacy.

"Anything in this very interesting world is possible, but I believe that Kim Jong Un fully realizes the great economic potential of North Korea, & will do nothing to interfere or end it. He also knows that I am with him & does not want to break his promise to me," he tweeted. "Deal will happen!"

In a rare show of frustration with Pyongyang, South Korea's presidential Blue House said it was "very concerned" about the weapons test. It urged North Korea "to stop actions that raise military tensions on the Korean Peninsula."

Saturday's test was believed to be the second after a summit between Trump and Kim broke down in February. Last month, the North Korean regime announced that Kim had attended the successful testing of a "tactical guided weapon."

Information for this article was contributed by Anne Gearan of The Washington Post.

A Section on 05/05/2019

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