No ICBM launch anniversary in N. Korea's 2022 calendars: Seoul official
SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's new calendars for next year have not marked its 2017 launch date of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) as an anniversary unlike this year's, a unification ministry official said Tuesday.
South Korea has been monitoring North Korea's activities after its 2021 calendars marked Nov. 29 as an anniversary for rocket development for the first time. On the day in 2017, the North's leader Kim Jong-un declared the completion of his country's nuclear forces after firing a new ICBM, the Hwasong-15.
The North's newly published calendars for next year, however, do not mark the day as such an anniversary, an official at Seoul's unification ministry said.
"We have checked next year's calendars and found no marking on the day," the official told reporters on background. "We will continue monitoring to see if there are any other related moves."
Even after publishing 2021 calendars with the rocket development anniversary marked, the North has stayed silent on the designation of the new anniversary.
Seoul officials said Monday they detected no unusual North Korean military activities despite speculation Pyongyang could mark the day with a major celebratory event or show of force.

In this file photo, captured from North Korea's Central TV on Feb. 8, 2018, its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasong-15 is displayed during a military parade in Pyongyang marking the 70th anniversary of the country's armed forces. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
scaaet@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
N. Korea's Kim holds talks with Russian defense minister on strengthening military cooperation: state media
-
Late wife of Australian veteran of Korean War laid to rest in Busan
-
Remains of another Korean War soldier identified
-
(LEAD) Fighter jet crashes in Seosan; pilot makes emergency escape
-
Fighter jet crashes in Seosan; pilot makes emergency escape
-
Late wife of Australian veteran of Korean War laid to rest in Busan
-
24 teachers caught illegally selling exam questions to private educators
-
Remains of another Korean War soldier identified
-
(LEAD) Fighter jet crashes in Seosan; pilot makes emergency escape
-
Fighter jet crashes in Seosan; pilot makes emergency escape
-
(LEAD) Family of 5 found dead in 3 separate locations
-
Allies vow stern measures against Russia-N. Korea arms deal
-
(LEAD) Opposition party leader ends 24-day hunger strike for treatment
-
(2nd LD) U.S. finalizes national security 'guardrails' for CHIPS funding
-
(4th LD) Xi says he will seriously consider visit to South Korea: official