<Anchor> The
Biden government of the United States is pursuing a strategy to check China and other countries by alliance with its allies under the'human rights' policy. .
North Korea is struggling with this move.
In this situation, foreign media reported that North Korea launched a short-range missile over the weekend.
The Washington Post rated it as North Korea's first challenge to President Biden.
This is Kim Soo-hyung, correspondent from Washington.
<Reporter> The
Washington Post reported that North Korea fired several short-range missiles over the weekend, citing a number of savvy figures.
Reuters reported that North Korea launched two short-range missiles.
The Washington Post assessed the test launch as the first direct challenge for North Korea's State Council Chairman Kim Jong-un to US President Joe Biden.
The newspaper said that the Biden administration, which is reviewing its policy toward North Korea, has been concerned that North Korea could face criticism if it resumes its nuclear provocation.
Earlier this month, as U.S. intelligence officials detected a signal that North Korea could resume testing, they cited these concerns, citing three people.
The US Department of Defense has avoided direct confirmation.
[John Kirby/U.S. Department of Defense spokesman: (Regarding reports of North Korean missile launches) I actually have nothing to say today.]
North Korea's missile launches are usually announced by the Joint Chiefs of Staff immediately after detection, but it is unusual to be reported by foreign media after a few days.
US Indo-Pacific Commander John Aquilino told a US Senate confirmation hearing that a strong US military posture is needed to support North Korea's denuclearization efforts, and US forces in Korea deter North Korean attacks.
Aquilino said that sanctions alone cannot lead to denuclearization and that a strong military posture is essential.