North Korea conducts 4th missile test in a month

The launches, the latest in a fast-paced series of missiletests defying world pressure to rein in its weapons program, come less than a week after the United Nations Security Councilpassed fresh sanctions on the reclusive state.

South Korea on Wednesday said it will hold off on installingremaining components of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude AreaDefence (THAAD) system that has angered North Korea's main ally,China, amid early signs of easing tensions between the twocountries.

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The missiles were launched Thursday morning from the North Korean coastal city of Wonsan and flew about 200 km, South Korea's Office of Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

Under third-generation leader Kim Jong-un, North Korea has been conducting missile tests at an unprecedented pace in an effort to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of hitting the mainland United States.

Missiles designed to defend

Compared to the different types of ballistic missiles Pyongyang has recently tested, the missiles launched on Thursday are considered to be more defensive in nature, designed to defend against threats such as enemy warships.

North Korea unveiled a number of new weapons at a massive military parade on April 15 to mark the birth anniversary of the state's founding leader and has since tested some of them.

"What appeared to be a new type of land-to-ship missile equipped with four launching canisters was unveiled at the parade," said Kim Dong-yub, a military expert at Kyungnam University's Far Eastern Studies in Seoul. "I think this might be what was used today."

THAAD defence under review

Thursday's launch is the fourth missile test by North Korea since Moon took office on May 10 pledging to engage in dialogue with Pyongyang, saying sanctions and pressure alone have failed to resolve the growing threat from the North's advancing nuclear and missile program.

Moon had also promised to review the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea.

On Wednesday, his presidential office said installation of four additional launchers would be halted until an assessment of the system's impact on the environment was completed.

Two launchers of the full six-launcher THAAD battery, aswell as the system's far-reaching radar that China worries couldupset the regional security balance, have already been installedat a deployment site in the southeastern city of Seongju. Theelements will stay in place, South Korea said.

'Seoul's will has been shaken'

The Global Times, published by China's official People's Daily, said in an editorial that no matter the outcome of the environmental study, South Korea's announcement could reduce friction.

"Obviously, the pressure China puts on South Korea has taken effect. Seoul's will has been shaken," the paper said. "However, attitude is not everything. Without solving the problem of THAAD, the pain it has brought to bilateral relations will not disappear, and South Korea must swallow some of the bitter results."

China should work with Russia on counter-measures to THAAD, the Global Times added.

Asked about the latest missile test, Chinese ForeignMinistry spokeswoman Hua Chunying called for all parties to
exercise restraint.

"The UN Security Council resolution has clear rules on [North Korea's]use of ballistic missiles technologies," she
said. "All sides should work together to de-escalate tensionsand take active steps to stabilize the region."

U.S. President Donald Trump has been pressing Chinaaggressively to rein in North Korea, warning that all options,
including a pre-emptive military strike, are on the table ifPyongyang persists with its nuclear and missile development.

Seoul, Tokyo and Washington were analyzing the launches for further information, South Korean officials said.

North Korea showing off

Japan's navy and air force conducted military drills with two U.S. aircraft carriers in the Sea of Japan last week, following similar joint U.S.-South Korea exercises.

"North Korea likely wanted to show off its ability to precisely target a large warship, in relation to the joint military drills involving U.S. aircraft carriers," Roh Jae-cheon, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesman told a media briefing. "By testing different types of missiles, North Korea also appears to be aiming to secure the upper hand in relations with South Korea and the United States."

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The isolated country, which has conducted dozens of missile tests and tested two nuclear bombs since the beginning of 2016 in defiance of UNSecurity Council resolutions, says the programis necessary to counter U.S. aggression.