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WORLD NEWS Saturday 2 November 2019

North Korea says it test-fired new multiple rocket launcher

By KIM TONG-HYUNG satisfaction over what North
Associated Press Korea described as a suc-
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) cessful test of its new rocket
— North Korea confirmed artillery system, but it wasn't
Friday it conducted its clear whether the leader
third test-firing of a new observed the launches on
"super-large" multiple rock- site. The North previously
et launcher that it says ex- tested the system in August
pands its ability to destroy and September. The latest
enemy targets in surprise test verified the "perfection"
attacks. of the system's continuous
The latest launches extend- firing ability that allows it to
ed a monthslong streak of "totally destroy" enemy tar-
weapons displays by the gets with "super power," the
North, which continues to agency said.
use a standstill in nuclear Kim Eun-han, spokesman
negotiations to advance of Seoul's Unification Min-
its military capabilities while istry, said South Korea has
pressuring Washington for "strong concern" over the
concessions. North's weapons activity,
Pyongyang's official Ko- but avoided a straightfor-
rean Central News Agency ward answer when asked
described the tests a day This Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, photo provided by the North Korean government, shows what it says about the possible impact
after the South Korean and a test firing of a super-large rocket launcher by the Academy of Defense Science in North Korea. on inter-Korean dialogue.
Japanese militaries said Associated Press Chung Eui-yong, the presi-
they detected two pro- Experts say the North could strained by disagreements pace of nuclear negotia- dential national security
jectiles launched from an continue to ramp up weap- over exchanging sanctions tions with the United States director, downplayed the
area near the North Korean ons demonstrations ahead relief and disarmament and demands that the threat posed by North Ko-
capital traveling more than of an end-of-year deadline steps. administration of President rea's new weapons dur-
321 kilometers (200 miles) set by leader Kim Jong Un Thursday's launches fol- Donald Trump ease crip- ing a parliamentary hear-
cross-country before land- for the U.S. to offer mutually lowed statements of dis- pling sanctions and pres- ing while also mentioning
ing in waters off the North's acceptable terms to sal- pleasure by top North Ko- sure on their country. South Korea's missile de-
eastern coast. vage a fragile diplomacy rean officials over the slow KCNA said Kim expressed fense systems.q

Cambodia, awaiting political foes, stages security exercise

By SOPHENG CHEANG try of National Defense. The ernment sometimes frowns
Associated Press party was dissolved by a on visitors who agitate
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia court order in 2017. for political change in its
(AP) — Several hundred Party co-founder Sam Rain- neighbors.
members of Cambodia's sy has declared that he A senior opposition leader,
security forces staged a and his colleagues will re- Mu Sochua, was recent-
major exercise Friday in a turn to Cambodia on Nov. ly barred from entry and
show of force ahead of the 9 — Independence Day — quickly deported.
promised return of exiled along with a mass of sup- Sam Rainsy has been Hun
opposition leaders whom porters. While Thailand has Sen's most prominent foe
the government says are never been publicly speci- for decades. He went into
unwelcome. fied, it is the only practical exile in late 2015 to avoid a
The drills by army and po- location for such a plan. two-year prison sentence
lice units in Banteay Mean- "I am prepared to sacrifice on charges of criminal def-
chey province, which bor- my freedom — and even amation. Other legal cases
ders Thailand, were mainly my life — to give democ- have since been lodged
to provide security for the racy a chance, to help en- against him by the govern-
public but also to defend sure freedom for my unfor- ment. In this April 13, 2018, file photo, Cambodia's self-exiled opposition
against any "anarchic ac- tunate people," Sam Rainsy Other top party members leader Sam Rainsy speaks during a press conference in Tokyo.
tivity" that might be carried said Friday on his Twitter ac- fled into exile during a 2017 Associated Press
by the opposition Cambo- count. crackdown on all opposi- ally all critical media and son, based on his links to a
dia National Rescue Party, It is uncertain if he and his tion to Hun Sen, which in- the arrest of the party's oth- U.S. pro-democracy orga-
said Gen. Chhum Socheat, colleagues will be able to cluded the party's dissolu- er co-founder, Kem Sokha. nization, and is under strict
a spokesman for the Minis- enter Thailand, whose gov- tion, the shuttering of virtu- He was charged with trea- house arrest. q