North Korea continues to defy international community
(Vatican Radio) South Korea said the North fired a further two missiles which apparently
flew about 120 kilometres before falling into the sea off its eastern coast. It was
the third consecutive day of such launches. Over the weekend, the United Nations secretary
general called them "worrying". Ban Ki-moon urged North Korea to lower tensions and
return to talks. On Monday, however, the North said its actions were legitimate military
exercises, like those conducted recently by South Korean and American forces. Listen:
Meanwhile,
China's foreign ministry urged North Korea to release the crew of a Chinese fishing
boat reportedly seized at gunpoint and held for ransom. It's at least the second such
fishing boat incident reported in two years. The boat's owner said it began two weeks
ago, and he launched a campaign on the internet to press the Chinese government to
get involved. The incident is seen as a further strain in ties with North Korea's
one major global ally, which voted with the United States in support of the latest
round of U.N. sanctions.