This content was originally published by Radio Free Asia and is reprinted with permission.
North Korea fired several shells of short-range ballistic missiles toward its west coast on Monday, according to South Korea’s army, three days after Pyongyang launched a proper boat weapon to examine a large weapon.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected what appeared to be some short-range nuclear weapons launched from the Pyongyang place at 3:01 p. m
“The North Korean missiles flew about 300 kilometers [186 miles ] and splashed into the sea, ” the JCS said in a text message to reporters, without providing further details.
Denouncing the North’s missile launch as “a clear provocation ” that seriously threatens peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, the JCS added it is closely working with the U. S. and Japan, while maintaining lessened vigilance against further launch.
The Japanese government also announced that the ballistic missile, which is estimated to have a range of 250 kilometers and a maximum altitude of 50 kilometers, landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone ( EEZ ) on the eastern side of the Korean Peninsula.
“North Korea’s actions, including its frequent launch of ballistic missiles, threaten the peace and security of Japan and the regional and international society, ” Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, said at a regular press conference on the same day.
“These launch are in contravention of important U. N. Security Council resolutions and a major issue of concern for the safety of our citizens, ” he added.
The reviews of the release came as Seoul said its best military commander, Adm. Kim Myung-soo, had hosted the chief of U. S. Space Command, General Stephen Whiting, on Monday to explain the North’s reconnaissance satellite growth and growing military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.
North Korea has been accused of providing arms to Russia for its invasion of Ukraine after a conference between the leaders of the two countries in September of last year, though both reject the claim.
Monday’s release comes three days after Pyongyang test-fired a fresh intermediate-range nuclear weapon tipped with a fast weapon.
The North said it conducted a “super-large weapon ” power check for a proper cruise missile and test-fired a new anti-aircraft weapon in the Yellow Sea on Friday.
