North Korea Fires Two Short-Range Ballistic Missiles Into East Sea: First Missile Launched 3pm From Wonsan Flew 450km Into East Sea Second Missile 3 Hours Later 600km Range South Korea JCS Confirms Both Launches Working With US On Detailed Analysis Japan Defence Ministry Confirms No Landing In Territorial Waters South Korea Government: Grave Act Violating UNSC Resolutions Cease Immediately
North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles off its eastern coast on Sunday, its second set of tests in roughly a week and days after Pyongyang accused the US of driving tensions on the Korean Peninsula through a series of military drills. CNN
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that at around 3:00 pm, they detected a ballistic missile launched into the East Sea from the area of Wonsan, North Korea. The detected missile flew about 450 kilometres. About three hours later, North Korea fired a second short-range ballistic missile. The second missile flew more than 373 miles. Japan’s Defence Ministry reported a suspected North Korean missile but said it did not land in its territorial waters. South Korea said it is working with the US on a detailed analysis of the launches.
South Korea’s government called on Pyongyang to immediately cease its ballistic missile launches, describing Sunday’s firing as a “grave act” that violated UN Security Council resolutions. North Korea accused “hostile forces” of seeking to end the country’s nuclear programme during the week’s General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency. A North Korean foreign ministry spokesperson said the IAEA resolution “has no effect on the DPRK’s position as a nuclear weapons state.”
The launches came two days after North Korea threatened to bolster its nuclear deterrent capabilities. Kim Yo Jong shrugged off Trump’s overture to shorten drills, saying it wouldn’t change their “provocative, aggressive nature.” The Pacific Vanguard exercise brought together the US, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
North Korea has legally enshrined its status as a nuclear-armed state, with its leadership declaring the country’s atomic arsenal permanent and irreversible.
Two missiles in three hours. A nuclear state that says it is permanent and irreversible. And a UN resolution Pyongyang says has no effect whatsoever. Check out our previous coverage of global security on The Trusted Times.
