Theresa May insists her Japan trip will go ahead despite 'reckless' North Korean missile launch
2 min read
Theresa May has confirmed that her trip to Japan this week will go ahead despite last night's "reckless" missile launch from the North Korean regime.
Pyongyang launched an intermediate-range missile over Japan’s Hokkaido island, which travelled about 2,700km before crashing into the sea.
Citizens in Hokkaido were told to take shelter when the test was identified.
Speaking to Sky News this afternoon, the Prime Minister said there was no suggestion of cancelling or amending her trip to the Far East.
"No, I'm absolutely clear that trip to Japan will go ahead. It gives me the opportunity to sit down with prime minister Abe and discuss the action North Korea has taken. As I say, these are illegal tests, we strongly condemn them and we will be working with Japan and other international partners to ensure pressure is put on North Korea."
She added: "This action by North Korea is reckless provocation, these are illegal tests and we strongly condemn them.
"There will be an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council later this afternoon and we will continue to work with our international partners to put pressure on North Korea to stop these illegal tests and of course, I will have the opportunity in my visit to Japan over the next few days to be discussing these issues with prime minister Abe."
Last night’s launch comes after heightening tensions in recent weeks between North Korea and the US and regional neighbours.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also condemned the missile launch.
President Trump said Pyongyang would face “fire and fury like the world has never seen” if made threats against the US.
That led North Korea to announce it was looking at its plans to hit targets around the US Pacific territory of Guam.
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