North Korea launches two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan — France 24
North Korea on Sunday launched two short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea. The launches were carried out from the Wonsan area, France 24 reports, citing South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Missile flight range
According to the South Korean military, the first missile was launched at around 15:00 local time, or 06:00 GMT. It flew about 450 kilometers toward the Sea of Japan.
The second launch was detected at around 17:50. The second missile flew more than 600 kilometers, while South Korean and US authorities continue to analyze its exact characteristics.
South Korea, the United States and Japan monitored developments and exchanged relevant information from the start of the launches, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
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Seoul and Tokyo’s response
After the first launch, the Office of National Security under the South Korean president held an emergency meeting and assessed the impact of the incident on national security. The country’s government called on Pyongyang to immediately halt ballistic missile launches, describing them as a serious act that violates UN Security Council resolutions.
Japan lodged a strong protest with North Korea, condemning the launches as a threat to regional peace and security, Kyodo reported, citing the government.
Eight days earlier, North Korea had already launched several short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan. Pyongyang later described this as joint live-fire drills involving long-range artillery and missiles.
North Korea’s nuclear status
The new launches came several days after Pyongyang again declared its status as a nuclear state and rejected a UN resolution demanding that it cease nuclear activities. A North Korean Foreign Ministry representative said that the International Atomic Energy Agency resolution does not affect the country’s position on its nuclear status.
