ARN News Centre

North Korea carries out 'very important' test at rocket launch site

Sunday, 8 December 2019 11:44

North Korea has carried out a "very important" test at a launch site that US officials once said Pyongyang had promised to close.

That's according to state media KCNA, which called it a "successful test of great significance" on Saturday but did not specify what was tested.

Missile experts said it appeared to be a static test of a rocket engine, rather than a missile launch.

It comes as North Korea's ambassador to the UN said denuclearisation talks with the US was off, and lengthy talks with Washington was not needed.

More from International

Zelenskyy says he can salvage relationship with US

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday he believed he could salvage his relationship with US President Donald Trump after their explosive meeting in the Oval Office, but that talks needed to continue behind closed doors.
Japan deploys nearly 1,700 firefighters to tackle forest blaze

Nearly 1,700 firefighters are battling Japan's biggest forest fire in three decades, officials said Monday, as some 4,600 residents remain under an evacuation advisory.
Pope Francis no longer needs ventilation, Vatican says

Pope Francis remained stable through the day on Sunday and no longer required the use of mechanical ventilation to breathe, the Vatican said, in a sign of progress as the 88-year-old pontiff battles double pneumonia.
Russia launches Soyuz rocket with spacecraft for defence purposes

Russian Aerospace Forces, part of the country's armed forces, launched a Soyuz rocket carrying a spacecraft for defence purposes, the state RIA news agency reported early on Monday, citing the Russian Defence Ministry.
Egypt says Gaza reconstruction plan ready

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said on Sunday the Egyptian Gaza reconstruction plan, which ensures Palestinians remain in their land, is ready and will be presented to the emergency Arab summit on March 4.