Sep 9, 2019 - World

North Korea fires 2 projectiles after offering talks with U.S.: South Korea

Rebecca Falconer

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (C) inspecting the Command of the Strategic Force of the Korean People's Army (KPA) at an undisclosed location. — North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, flanked by army officials. Photo: STR/AFP/Getty Images

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff say North Korea has fired 2 unidentified projectiles into the Sea of Japan, the South Korean Yonhap news agency reports.

Why it matters: The launch came hours after Pyongyang offered to resume nuclear talks with the U.S. This is the 10th such launch since May, in what appears to be yet another demonstration of North Korea expanding its weapons arsenal apparently with the intention of increasing leverage ahead of possible negotiations with the U.S.

Our military is monitoring the situation in case of additional launches and maintaining a readiness posture."

— South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff statement

Details: South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the unidentified projectiles flew east from South Pyongan Province before landing in the sea on Tuesday morning local time, per Yonhap.

The big picture: North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said in a statement Monday that North Korea was willing to have comprehensive discussions with the United States in late September at a time and place agreed between both sides, but the U.S. must come to the negotiating table with acceptable new proposals, according to the state-run KCNA news agency.

What he's saying: President Trump told reporters earlier that North Korea's offer for talks was "interesting," AP reports.

"We’ll see what happens. In the meantime, we have our hostages back, we’re getting the remains of our great heroes back and we’ve had no nuclear testing for a long time."

— President Trump to reporters

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

Add Axios on Google

North Korea fires 2 projectiles after offering talks with U.S.: South Korea

What to read next