Seoul: South Korea says North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the South China Sea early Saturday in its newest weapons test after it and Washington and Tokyo held a joint military exercise.
According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea, the missiles were launched from the Wonsan region at approximately 20:20 UTC. Their journey was estimated to have been just about 250 kilometres, which ended in the East Sea.
It was detected simultaneously by South Korean and US intelligence authorities, who also passed on information about the test to Japan. Seoul confirmed it was staying “vigilant” and was ready for any additional launches.
South Korea’s presidential National Security Office held an emergency meeting after the test. The security situation and potential answers were discussed and Seoul again urged Pyongyang to stop ballistic missile launches, which they said breach UN Security Council resolutions.
US military’s Pacific Command said it knew of the launches and was coordinating with its allies. It first judged the missiles were not an immediate threat to the United States, its own territory, its own people or its allies.
The test followed a five-day military drill by South Korea, the United States and Japan called Freedom Edge that ended on Sunday. Such exercises have been condemned many times by North Korea, which has stated that they form part of its preparations for a possible attack.
Pyongyang’s last big push came on August 20 when it launched over 10 short-range ballistic missiles during the Ulchi Freedom Shield military drill held by South Korea and the U.S.
The new test also coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump’s expression of a desire to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again this year. However, North Korea has continued to expand and test missile capabilities, despite Trump’s comments about improving relations.
Source: CNA, Agencies
