Arrest Warrant Against Vladimir Putin Over Ukraine War Crime Allegations

Russia is not a party to the ICC so it was unclear if or how Vladimir Putin could ever end up in the dock. 

                                             Both warrants are related to children's rights. (File)

The Hague: The International Criminal Court on Friday announced an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on the war crime accusation of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children.

The Hague-based ICC said it had also issued a warrant against Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's presidential commissioner for children's rights, on similar charges.

Moscow dismissed the orders as "void." Russia is not a party to the ICC so it was unclear if or how Putin could ever end up in the dock.

War-battered Ukraine welcomed the ICC announcement, with President Volodymyr Zelensky hailing the "historic decision."

The court's shock notice came hours after other news with the potential to significantly impact Russia's war on Ukraine, including a Moscow visit from Chinese leader Xi Jinping and more fighter jets for Kyiv's forces.

More than 16,000 Ukrainian children have been deported to Russia since the February 24, 2022 invasion, according to Kyiv, with many allegedly placed in institutions and foster homes.

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan told AFP that Putin was now liable for arrest if he set foot in any of the court's more than 120 member states.

He said the arrest warrants were "based upon forensic evidence, scrutiny and what's been said by those two individuals".

"The evidence we presented focused on crimes against children. Children are the most vulnerable part of our society," said Khan.

The ICC said judges found there were "reasonable grounds" to suspect Putin's criminal responsibility and grant Khan's application for the warrants, which were made back on February 22.

ICC President Piotr Hofmanski said the execution of the warrants "depends on international cooperation".

'Historic decision'

During a meeting with Putin in mid-February, Lvova-Belova said she adopted a 15-year-old child from the devastated Ukrainian port city of Mariupol.

"Now I know what it means to be a mother of a child from Donbas -- it is a difficult job but we love each other, that is for sure," she told Putin.

She added that "we evacuated children's homes into safe areas, arranged rehabilitation and prosthetics for them and provided them with targeted humanitarian assistance."

The arrest warrant for Putin, a sitting head of state of a UN Security Council member, is an unprecedented step for the ICC.

Set up in 2002, the ICC is a court of last resort for the world's worst crimes, when countries cannot or will not prosecute suspects.

Prosecutor Khan launched an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine just days after Russia's invasion.

Khan recently posted pictures from a visit to Ukraine alongside empty cots in an empty children's care home, and said that investigating alleged child abduction was a "priority".

"It's poignant," he said. "One sees empty cribs and empty beds juxtaposed with paintings by those children on the walls."

Zelensky, who met Khan on his visit, welcomed the arrest warrants for his nemesis in Moscow.

"A historic decision from which historic responsibility will begin," Zelensky said.

Ukraine's Western allies also hailed the move.

US President Joe Biden said the warrant was "justified," and "makes a very strong point," while noting that the United States is not a member of the ICC.

"There is no doubt that Russia is committing war crimes and atrocities in Ukraine, and we have been clear that those responsible must be held accountable," a State Department spokesperson said. "The ICC Prosecutor is an independent actor."

Britain called the decision "welcome" and the European Union said it was "just the start." Human Rights Watch said it was a "big day for the many victims" of Russian forces.

'Void'

The Kremlin dismissed the warrants.

"Russia, just like a number of different countries, does not recognise the jurisdiction of this court and so from a legal point of view, the decisions of this court are void," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev compared the warrants to toilet paper, while foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said they "have no meaning" for Russia.

The ICC's Khan however said there were "so many examples of people that thought they were beyond the reach of the law".

"Look at (Slobodan) Milosevic or Charles Taylor or (Radovan) Karadzic or (Ratko) Mladic," he said, referring to a series of war criminals from the former Yugoslavia, and former Liberian president Taylor, who have faced justice.

Earlier in the day, Beijing and Moscow announced that Chinese leader and strategic ally Xi would be in Russia next week to sign accords ushering in a new era of ties.

The United States has accused China of mulling arms shipments to support Russia's campaign -- claims Beijing has strongly denied.

The arrest warrants come a day after UN investigators said Russia's forced transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children to areas under its control amounts to a war crime.

The investigators said parents and children had spoken of youngsters being informed by Russian social services that they would be placed in foster families or adopted.

Neither Russia nor Ukraine are members of the ICC, but Kyiv has accepted the court's jurisdiction and is working with Khan's office.

Russia denies allegations of war crimes by its troops. Experts have said it is unlikely it would ever hand over any suspects.

With fighting still raging in Ukraine, Kyiv welcomed the news Friday that Slovakia will donate 13 MiG-29 warplanes.

Ukraine has long requested fighter jets from Western allies, although it is seeking primarily modern US-made F-16s.

Bihar YouTuber Arrested For Fake Videos Of Migrant Workers Attacked In Tamil Nadu

The EOU has registered three cases against Kashyap and others on the charges of "indulging in spreading fake videos of migrants being killed and beaten up in Tamil Nadu on social media".  

                          The EOU had on March 6 registered its first FIR in connection with the case.

Patna: Popular YouTuber Manish Kashyap from Bihar, who has several cases filed against him by the Bihar and Tamil Nadu police for allegedly making fake videos of Bihari migrant workers in the southern state, was arrested on Saturday morning. This is the third arrest in the case.

Kashyap was arrested at the Jagdishpur police station of Bettiah in the West Champaran district, where he surrendered after the Bihar Police, and it's Economic Offences Unit, reached his home to attach his properties. He is accused of circulating false and misleading videos about residents of Bihar working in Tamil Nadu.

"Kashyap, wanted by Bihar Police and Tamil Nadu Police in fake news matter of labourers issue in the southern state, surrendered before the police on Saturday fearing arrest and attachment of his belongings," a statement issued by the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police said.

The EOU has registered three cases against Kashyap and others on the charges of "indulging in spreading fake videos of migrants being killed and beaten up in Tamil Nadu on social media".

The state police had formed a special team after obtaining arrest warrants for Manish Kashyap and Yuvraj Singh Rajput on March 15, and conducted raids in other states to arrest them.

"Six teams constituted by the EOU along with Patna and Champaran Police were continuously conducting raids on his locations at various places and hideouts since yesterday (Friday). He surrendered at Jagdishpur police station of Bettiah on Saturday, fearing arrest and other legal action," the police statement added.

Earlier, the police had found evidence of financial irregularities against Manish Kashyap alias Tripurari Kumar Tiwari, and froze all his bank accounts. Police had also charged him for spreading misleading information through his official Twitter handle by posting a fake picture of his arrest.

The EOU had on March 6 registered its first FIR in connection with the case and booked four persons, including Kashyap.

EOU officials have already arrested Aman Kumar from Jamui in connection with its investigation into the first FIR. Those named in that FIR included Aman Kumar, Rakesh Tiwary, Yuvraj Singh Rajput, and Manish Kashyap.

JS Gangwar, Additional Director General of Bihar Police (Headquarters), had told reporters last week that the EOU probe has found that 30 fake videos of migrants getting beaten up and killed in Tamil Nadu were widely shared on social media, spreading panic among the labourers and forcing them to flee the southern state.

The Tamil Nadu Police has also registered 13 cases to probe the matter.

Earlier, the Bihar government had also sent a four-member team of top officials to Tamil Nadu to coordinate with officers who were investigating the matter in the southern state.

"Child Welfare Not Driven By Profit": Norway Embassy On Rani Mukerji Film

Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway follows the story of an Indian immigrant couple whose world came crashing down in 2011 when their two children were removed from their care by the Norwegian foster system due to differences in culture. 

 "Child Welfare Not Driven By Profit": Norway Embassy On Rani Mukerji Film 

Rani Mukerji's Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway, a film based on an Indian couple who fought the Norway government for the custody of their children, has drawn a sharp response from the country. The Norwegian Ambassador to India today called the movie a "work of fiction" and said it had factual inaccuracies.

Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway follows the story of an Indian immigrant couple whose world came crashing down in 2011 when their two children were removed from their care by the Norwegian foster system due to differences in culture.

"Children will never be taken away from their families based on cultural differences described. Eating with their hands or having children sleeping in bed with their parents are not considered practices harmful to children and are not uncommon in Norway, irrespective of cultural background," the Norwegian Embassy said in its statement, stressing that "some general facts must be set right".

"The reason for placing children in alternative care is if they are subject to neglect, violence or other forms of abuse."

Norwegian Ambassador Hans Jacob Frydenlund asserted that Norway is a democratic, multicultural society.

"In Norway, we value and respect different family systems and cultural practices, also when these are different to what we are accustomed to - apart from corporal punishment in the upbringing. There is zero tolerance for violence in any shape or form," he said in the statement shared on Twitter.

Child welfare, said Norway's statement, is "not driven by profit" and refuted the alleged claim made in the film that "the more children put into the foster system, the more money they make". "Alternative care is a matter of responsibility and is not a money making entity," it said.

The Norway envoy said children are placed in alternative care when they face neglect or are "subject to violence or other forms of abuse."

The statement highlighted that "such experiences" are difficult for those involved in it and that "child welfare cases are not easy" for the children, parents, and the Child Welfare Service.

While taking away Sagarika Chatterjee's children, the Norwegian government had alleged that she fed her kids using her hands. The couple was also accused of beating their children, not giving them enough room to play and giving them "unsuitable" clothes and toys.

After a diplomatic row between the two countries, the Norwegian authorities handed custody of the children to their uncle, enabling him to bring them back to India. Sagarika had to approach the court for custody after her marriage broke down.

China’s Xi Jinping to visit Russia next week, says Kremlin

 The visit comes as China offers to broker peace in Ukraine, an effort that has been met with scepticism in the West.

                                               China’s Xi Jinping to visit Russia next week

Chinese President Xi Jinping will be in Russia next week for a state visit after he was invited by President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin said on Friday.

The two-day trip beginning on Monday comes as Beijing offers to broker peace in Ukraine, an effort that has been met with scepticism in the West given China’s diplomatic support for Russia.

“During the talks, they will discuss topical issues of further development of comprehensive partnership relations and strategic cooperation between Russia and China,” the Kremlin said.

“A number of important bilateral documents will be signed,” it added.

China and Russia struck a “no limits” partnership in February 2022, when Putin was visiting Beijing for the opening of the Winter Olympics, weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine.

The two sides have since continued to reaffirm the strength of their ties. Trade between the two countries has soared since the invasion, and China is Russia’s biggest buyer of oil, a key source of revenue for Moscow.

But in recent weeks, China has been trying to play mediator between Russia and Ukraine.

On February 24, exactly a year after Russia invaded Ukraine, China released a 12-point position paper on the war, in which it called for a ceasefire and talks between the two parties.

Earlier this week, Beijing also offered to mediate between Russia and Ukraine on the Black Sea grain deal, which is due to be extended.

And on Thursday, in a rare phone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, China’s foreign minister said Beijing is concerned about the year-old grinding conflict spinning out of control and urged talks on a political solution with Moscow.

Qin Gang told Dmytro Kuleba that China has “always upheld an objective and fair stance on the Ukraine issue, has committed itself to promoting peace and advancing negotiations and calls on the international community to create conditions for peace talks”, China’s foreign ministry said in a statement posted on its website.

Kuleba later tweeted that he and Qin “discussed the significance of the principle of territorial integrity”.

“I underscored the importance of [Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s] Peace Formula for ending the aggression and restoring just peace in Ukraine,” wrote Kuleba, who spoke the same day with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Not Many Influenza Cases But Will Conduct Early Screening: Delhi Health Minister

 Addressing a press conference, he said though the peak of seasonal influenza is usually over by March, many cases are being registered this time in parts of the country. 

                         Many Influenza cases are being registered this time in parts of the country

New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Friday said the city government has directed authorities to conduct early screening to detect cases of influenza in the national capital.

Addressing a press conference, he said though the peak of seasonal influenza is usually over by March, many cases are being registered this time in parts of the country.

Mr Bharadwaj also said that the city government has no plan for making masks mandatory. The focus is on taking precautionary measures such as avoiding public places, washing hands etc, he added.

"People who have had severe asthma or Covid are among those impacted the most by influenza. Extra precaution is needed for those aged above 65, children below five years of age and those suffering from lung diseases," he said.

The Delhi health minister said the Centre has issued Covid advisory for six states, but Delhi is not on the list. "However, we are issuing an advisory to check the spread of influenza. The precautionary measures to be followed in case of influenza and Covid are the same," Mr Bharadwaj said.

"Instructions have been issued to district surveillance units, health facilities, and government hospital authorities to monitor the situation on a daily basis. All districts have been asked to ensure early screening to detect cases," he said.

Mr Bharadwaj said there are not many influenza cases in Delhi hospitals and the situation is being monitored closely.

The government will issue advertisements in newspapers and on FM radio channels to create awareness, the health minister said.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that the rise in influenza cases is due to the Influenza A subtype H3N2 virus.

The H3N2 virus is leading to more hospitalisations than other subtypes. The symptoms include a runny nose, persistent cough, and fever.

Australian Blake Johnston surfs for 40 hours to smash world record

 The 40-year-old former surfing pro broke down in tears after smashing South African Josh Enslin's previous record of 30 hours and 11 minutes.

                        Australian Blake Johnston surfs for 40 hours to smash world record

SYDNEY: Australian Blake Johnston on Friday shredded the world record for the longest surfing session, dodging swarms of jellyfish to ride hundreds of waves across 40 punishing hours.

The 40-year-old former surfing pro broke down in tears after smashing South African Josh Enslin's previous record of 30 hours and 11 minutes.

Johnston surfed back to shore in the evening to rapturous applause from the hundreds of supporters who had gathered at Sydney's Cronulla Beach to watch.

Wearing a black cowboy hat and draped in a thermal blanket, he was carried off the beach on his friends' shoulders after finally hanging up his surfboard.

Johnston raised more than Aus$200,000 (US$133,000) for mental health, taking on the record to mark 10 years since losing his father to suicide.

He rode more than 700 waves in setting the record, braving pitch-black seas that are home to many species of shark.

"I've still got a job to do. I said 40 (hours) so I'll go and give it a crack," he told reporters earlier in the day, after passing the previous 30-hour record.

"I'm pretty cooked, yeah, but we'll push through."

Johnston eventually surfed for more than 40 hours -- he started at 1:00am on Thursday, using large spotlights to illuminate the water -- but his official record time was not immediately known.

Under the rules of the attempt, he was allowed to sporadically leave the ocean so he could soothe his eyes with eyedrops, refuel with snacks and lather himself up in sunscreen.

Medics would check his heart rate and blood pressure before he dashed back into the swell.

With Sydney in the grip of a minor heatwave, the water temperature has been hovering around a balmy 24 degrees Celsius (75F), lessening the risk of hypothermia.

'Only 30 hours' 

Johnston had originally planned to raise money by tackling a 1,000-kilometre run (620 miles), but settled on surfing when he saw the previous record was "only" 30 hours.

"I thought I could just do it," he said before the attempt.

"I push myself to the limits with my adventures and to prove to myself that I'm worthy and can get through hard times, and that's when my lessons are learnt."

He anticipated infected ears, dehydration and sleep deprivation would push his body to its limits.

Johnston's brother Ben said they had also prepared for the possibility of a shark attack, but it wasn't something that had worried them.

"I surfed at two in the morning with him and the lights actually went out so it was pitch black," he told national broadcaster ABC.

"There was a whole bunch of jellyfish out there, so it was interesting to say the least."

It is not Johnston's first time taking part in a marathon test of human endurance.

In 2020, he ran 100 kilometres along the rugged coastline south of Sydney -- covering the vast majority of the trek in bare feet.

BJP Won't Let Rahul Gandhi Speak In Parliament Without An Apology: Sources

 Mr Gandhi has said he wants to respond to allegations against him inside the house, but the BJP sources said they wouldn't let him speak until he apologises first. 

                          BJP Won't Let Rahul Gandhi Speak In Parliament Without An Apology 

New Delhi: Amid chaos in the parliament, leading to adjournment of both houses for the second consecutive day, sources in the BJP today said they won't let Congress MP Rahul Gandhi speak in the house unless he apologises for his remarks on Indian democracy in London.

Both houses of the parliament were adjourned again today amid loud sloganeering from the BJP, which is demanding Congress MP Rahul Gandhi apologise for his remarks at Cambridge University, and opposition parties demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Adani-Hindenberg row. Audio of the proceedings were muted while chaos ensued inside the parliament. Congress, repeating Rahul Gandhi's charge that microphones of opposition leaders were muted in the parliament, took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Earlier, the mic used to be turned off, today even the proceedings of the House were muted. The house is mute for PM Modi's friend," the grand-old-party tweeted in Hindi.

Rahul Gandhi was seen in the Lok Sabha for the second time today since the row erupted over his comments, but the house was adjourned till next week before any business could be done. Mr Gandhi has said he wants to respond to allegations against him inside the house, but the BJP is adamant that he apologises first.

Calling Mr Gandhi's remark "egregious and gravely offensive", BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said Mr Gandhi should apologise outside before seeking recourse in the parliament.

"It is sad that the EGO on 1 Parivar is above INSTITUTION OF PARLIAMENT (sic)?

Rahul has made an egregious & gravely offensive remark against our sovereignty by demanding foreign intervention on foreign soil

If he is serious about Parliament he should have apologised immediately outside before seeking recourse in Parliament

You cannot undermine Parliament & then seek its recourse

Pehle Maafi Maango Desh se (first apologise to the nation)," he tweeted.

Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, referring to Rahul Gandhi's "unfortunately, I am Member Of Parliament" slip-up yesterday, said he is truly an unfortunate MP because he is defaming the same parliament that he is a part of. He also demanded an unconditional apology from him.

"He does not know that the House is run by procedures, and policies. I had also brought the booklet of rules for him. If he attended the parliament, he would understand. He does not read, and rarely comes to the parliament. Telling one lie after another has become his habit. You lied, and tried to show that you are bigger than the parliament, bigger than the country. He should apologise unconditionally," Mr Thakur said.

Several BJP ministers have slammed Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of spreading lies and maligning India's image abroad. While Law minister Kiren Rijiju alleged that the Congress leader was speaking the language of "anti-India forces", BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has called for the formation of a special committee to look into Mr Gandhi's statements, which, he said, should help end Mr Gandhi's Lok Sabha membership.

BJP National President JP Nadda on Friday said that Rahul Gandhi has become a permanent part of the "anti-nationalist toolkit".

"It's unfortunate that the Congress party is indulging in anti-national activities. After being repeatedly rejected by the nation, Rahul Gandhi has now become a permanent part of this anti-nationalist toolkit," Mr Nadda told news agency ANI. He also asked what Mr Gandhi's intention was when he "demand the intervention of another country in the internal matters of India".

During an event in the UK, Rahul Gandhi had alleged that the structures of Indian democracy are under attack and there is a "full-scale assault" on the country's institutions.

Ex TCS Chief On Plans For "Next Phase Of Life" After Surprise Resignation

 K Krithivasan, the current global head of the BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) business, has been appointed as the CEO Designate of the Tata Group company with effect from March 16 this year. 

                        Mr Gopinathan will continue with the company till September 15, 2023.

New Delhi: In a surprise leadership change at India's largest software services firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), it announced on Thursday that Rajesh Gopinathan, who has been the CEO and MD of the company for six years, is stepping down four years before his tenure ends, to pursue other interests.

"Mr Gopinathan will continue with the company till 15th September 2023 to provide transition and support to his successor," it said.

K Krithivasan, the current global head of the BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) business, has been appointed as the CEO Designate of the Tata Group company with effect from March 16 this year.

"Krithivasan has been part of the global technology sector for over 34 years, having joined Tata Consultancy Services in 1989. During his long tenure at TCS, he has held various leadership roles in delivery, customer relationship management, large program management and sales," a media release from TCS said.

In his six years as the top boss of the tech giant, Rajesh Gopinathan, who said he "thoroughly enjoyed" his "exciting 22-year tenure at TCS", added over $10 billion in incremental revenues and over $70 billion increase in market capitalisation.

"I have been harbouring a few ideas on what I want to do in the next phase of my life. After deep reflection and in discussion with the Chairman and the Board, we decided that the end of this fiscal year is a good time for me to step aside and pursue those interests," Mr Gopinath, who was re-appointed last year as TCS's CEO till February 20, 2027, said.

TCS chairman N Chandrasekaran said Rajesh Gopinath has "always distinguished himself with exemplary performance in various roles, including his former role as the Chief Financial Officer," adding that he was "deeply appreciative of Rajesh's enormous contribution to TCS".

Two pilots killed as Indian Army chopper crashes in Arunachal

 A search operation was carried out by the Indian Army, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and police after the crash.

The wreckage of the chopper crash.

GUWAHATI:  Two pilots on board Indian Army’s Cheetah helicopter were killed after their copter crashed in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday.  The helicopter was on an operational sortie from Missamari in Assam’s Sonitpur district to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.

However, it encountered inclement weather in West Kameng district and was returning to Missamari when the mishap occurred. 

The deceased have been identified as Lt Colonel V V B Reddy and co-pilot Major Jayanth A. 

Guwahati-based defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said that five search parties of the Indian Army, SSB and ITBP were immediately pressed into service and the wreckage of the aircraft was found near Banglajaap village, east of Mandala in West Kameng district.

A Court of Inquiry has also been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident. 

West Kameng Superintendent of Police B Bharat Reddy said they got information about the crash at around 12.30 pm.  Arunachal has a history of aircraft crashes. Thursday’s crash is the 16th such incident since 1995. Over 100 lives have been lost in the incidents. 

Kim Jong Un and daughter oversee North Korea's ICBM launch

 State media also released images showing the Earth from space, purportedly taken by a camera mounted on the ICBM.

                               Kim Jong Un and daughter oversee North Korea's ICBM launch

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his daughter, personally oversaw the recent test-firing of the country's most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile, state media images showed Friday.

The launch on Thursday -- Pyongyang's second ICBM test this year -- involved a Hwasong-17 missile, the official Korean Central News Agency reported, adding that it was fired in response to "frantic" US-South Korea joint military drills.

Photographs in the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper showed Kim watching the black-and-white Hwasong-17 -- dubbed a "monster missile" by analysts -- blast off into the sky.

Some of the images showed him watching the launch with his daughter -- never named by state media but identified as his second child Ju Ae by South Korean intelligence.

State media also released images showing the Earth from space, purportedly taken by a camera mounted on the ICBM.

KCNA said the launch "confirmed the war readiness of the ICBM unit", adding that it "had no negative impact on the security" of neighbouring countries.

South Korea had previously said the missile was fired on a lofted trajectory -- up instead of out, typically done to avoid overflying neighbouring countries.

Last year, North Korea declared itself an "irreversible" nuclear power, and Kim recently called for an "exponential" increase in weapons production, including tactical nukes.

Overseeing the Thursday launch, Kim said North Korea would "react to nuclear weapons with nukes" and called for "irreversibly bolstering up the nuclear war deterrent", according to KCNA.

He also highlighted the country's "rapid response posture... to cope with any armed conflict and war", KCNA said.

ICBM threat In theory, the Hwasong-17 ICBM can reach the continental United States, and with this latest launch, North Korea is trying to emphasise the advanced level of its weaponry, analysts said.

"With the photos of the Earth, Pyongyang seems to be trying to show that it can accurately hit any target the regime wants with its ICBM," Cheong Seong-chang, a senior fellow at the Sejong Institute, told AFP.

The next step will likely be North Korea firing the missile "at a normal angle", he said, which would demonstrate it can survive reentry into the atmosphere.

The Thursday launch -- Pyongyang's third show of force this week -- came as Tokyo and Seoul sought to thaw long-frozen ties to counter an increasingly aggressive North Korea.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol flew to Japan Thursday to meet Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, the first such summit in 12 years.

North Korea fired two cruise missiles from a submarine on Sunday, followed by two short-range ballistic missiles on Thursday, as South Korea and the United States staged major military drills.

The allies have ramped up defence cooperation in the face of growing military and nuclear threats from North Korea, which has conducted a series of increasingly provocative banned weapons tests in recent months.

"The fact (that) North Korea has almost normalised ICBM tests over the last year is a concern," Joseph Dempsey, a researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told AFP.

Soo Kim, a former CIA Korea analyst, said that Kim's regime "has essentially desensitised the international community to its weapons tests," she told AFP.

"We've reached a point where an ICBM test draws no greater attention than a short-range missile test," she said.

"We'll continue to see North Korea advancing and expanding its suite of weapons capabilities in the days to come."