South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said multiple short-range ballistic missiles launched from the Wonsan area at about 05:20 on Saturday flew roughly 250 km. The launches came one day after South Korea, the United States and Japan completed the five-day Freedom Edge maritime exercise. Seoul convened an emergency security meeting and exchanged information with Washington and Tokyo.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area on its east coast at about 05:20 local time on Saturday. The missiles flew roughly 250 km towards the East Sea before falling into the water. South Korean and US authorities are analysing their characteristics. Seoul's presidential National Security Office convened an emergency meeting after the launches.[1], [2]
The launches occurred one day after South Korea, the United States and Japan ended the five-day Freedom Edge maritime exercise. The drill took place in international waters south and east of Jeju Island. North Korean Defence Minister Kim Song Gi had previously called the exercise provocative and warned of countermeasures. That statement does not provide an independent assessment of the missiles' technical characteristics.[1], [2]
Seoul said it had raised its surveillance posture and was sharing information about the launches with the United States and Japan. South Korea's National Security Office called ballistic missile launches contrary to United Nations Security Council resolutions and demanded that they stop. US Pacific Command said its initial assessment found no immediate threat to US territory or allies. This was North Korea's first ballistic missile test since August 20.[1], [2]
