Seoul PM calls Trump over Pyongyang's missile launch

South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn held a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump over North Korea test-fired four ballistic missiles, government officials said on Tuesday.

The phone call lasted for about 20 minutes on Monday night. It was the second phone converstion between the leaders after the first on January 30, Xinhua news agency reported.

Hwang, who is also the acting President, and Trump coordinated each other's positions on situations on the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea's nuclear programme, a government source said.

On Monday, North Korea fired off four ballistic missiles in protest against the ongoing military drills between Seoul and Washington.

The missiles that flew around 1,000 km and three fell into Japan's exclusive economic zone.

South Korean Defence Minister Han Min-Koo also had phone conversation with his Japanese counterpart Tomomi Inada on Tuesday, discussing countermeasures to the missile launches.

According to Seoul's defence ministry, Han and Inada agreed to maintain a close coordination based on a shared view on the graveness of Pyongyang's nuclear and missile threats, strengthening cooperation with the international community for pressures and sanctions on North Korea.

--IANS

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