BRING IT UN
Video shows US knock North Korea-style ballistic missile out of the sky in test to show Kim Jong-un who’s boss after latest launch
THE US military has shot down a simulated intermediate-range ballistic missile similar to the ones which have been launched by North Korea in recent weeks.
US forces tested their Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system in Alaska by launching and shooting down an "incoming" missile over the Pacific Ocean.
6
6
6
The medium-range ballistic missile was detected, tracked and intercepted, military bosses have revealed.
The test is seen as a show of force two days after Kim Jong-un launched his latest missile - and then bragged it could hit anywhere in America.
US Missile Defence Agency director Lt Gen Sam Greaves said it was part of an effort "to stay ahead of the evolving threat", but did not provide specifics.
"In addition to successfully intercepting the target, the data collected will allow the Missile Defence Agency to enhance the THAAD weapon system," he said.
Soldiers used the same procedures they would use in an actual combat scenario, according to the US military.
It said this is the 15th such test for the Alaska-based operation.
6
6
6
The news comes a day after the US flew two supersonic bombers over the Korean Peninsula in the skies near North Korea.
The B-1 bombers were escorted by South Korean fighter jets as they performed a low-pass over an air base near the South Korean capital of Seoul before returning to the Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.
The US Air Force said that mission was a direct response to consecutive ICBM tests by Kim's military.
Analysts say flight data from the second test conducted on Friday night showed that a broader part of mainland America, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of Pyongyang's weapons.
"North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability," said Gen Terrence J O'Shaughnessy, Pacific Air Forces commander.
Meanwhile, China said today the US should not link trade to discussions about North Korea's nuclear programme, after President Donald Trump accused Beijing of taking no action on Pyongyang despite profiting from business with America.
"Diplomacy remains the lead. However, we have a responsibility to our allies and our nation to showcase our unwavering commitment while planning for the worst-case scenario."
"We believe that the North Korea nuclear issue and China-US trade are two issues that are in two completely different domains," Chinese vice minister of commerce Qian Keming told a press briefing, adding that the issues "are not related, and should not be discussed together".
"In general, China-US trade, including mutual investment, is mutually beneficial, and both China and the United States have gained great profits from bilateral trade and investment cooperations," he said.
The comments came in response to a question about tweets from Trump on Saturday warning that he would no longer allow China to "do nothing" on North Korea, after the hermit state launched its second intercontinental ballistic missile test.
Topics