North Korea launched several ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area, according to South Korea’s military. One travelled more than 900 kilometres. Japan reported that at least two landed outside its exclusive economic zone. The launches follow South Korea’s hypersonic weapon test last week, with military analysts still examining the North Korean missile types.
North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles towards the sea off its east coast on Monday, South Korea’s military said. The Joint Chiefs of Staff identified the launch area as Pyongyang and reported that at least one missile flew more than 900 kilometres. The military did not announce how many missiles it detected.[1], [2]
Japan’s Deputy Defense Minister Takashi Koyari said at least two missiles were fired 17 minutes apart and landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. He put their distances at about 220 kilometres and more than 910 kilometres. The second missile followed an irregular path, prompting his suggestion that it could have been hypersonic. Its type remained unconfirmed as military analysis continued.[1]
South Korean military spokesperson Jang Do-young assessed the launches as a show of force following his country’s hypersonic weapon test. President Lee Jae Myung had overseen that first test on Thursday. His office said the fully developed weapon would strengthen surprise-strike capabilities on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea had tested a hypersonic intermediate-range missile on 3 October. South Korea’s presidential office condemned the repeated launches as violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions and called for an immediate halt.[1]
