SEOUL, Sept 12 (Askume) – North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Thursday, the South Korean military said, the first such launch in more than two months.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were launched from Pyongyang at about 7:10 a.m. (2210 GMT Wednesday) and traveled about 360 kilometers (223.7 miles) before falling into the sea. However, they did not disclose how many missiles were launched.
“We strongly condemn North Korea’s missile launch, which is a clear provocation and poses a serious threat to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula,” the statement said.
At least two ballistic missiles launched from North Korea flew more than 350 kilometres and reached an altitude of about 100 kilometres, Japan’s Defence Ministry said.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who visited Seoul last week before resigning to reaffirm ties with South Korea , said Tokyo strongly condemned the launch and lodged a protest with North Korea.
“We will continue to make every effort to monitor and cooperate with the United States and South Korea,” Kishida said.
Nuclear envoys from South Korea, Japan and the United States said in a call that the launch violated UN resolutions. They also vowed to respond to any provocations from North Korea, Seoul’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
North Korea last launched a missile on July 1, when it claimed successA new tactical ballistic missile capable of carrying a 4.5-tonne super-large warhead was tested.
The latest launch came just days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to “quickly” build more nuclear weapons and ensure they are “ready” for use .
Kim Jong Un oversaw the testing of an advanced 240mm rocket launcher system late last month, which “proved its superiority in mobility and concentrated attack.” He also examined new ” suicide drones ” and called for the development of artificial intelligence in driverless vehicles.
Recent developments in North KoreaBalloons carrying garbage are still being sent to South Korea . South Korean activists launched a campaign in May to protest anti-Pyongyang leaflets dropped from the air over the country.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul said North Korea released about 20 balloons Wednesday night, but no balloons have been found in South Korea so far.
Thursday’s launch may have been in response to recent South Korean and US military exercises or to test missiles for export to Russia, a military spokesman said in a briefing.
North Korea has been accused of supplying weapons used in the Ukrainian war, including drones and ballistic missiles .
Other countries, including Ukraine and the United States, as well as independent analysts, say Kim is providing rockets and missiles to help Russia fight the war in exchange for economic and other military aid from Moscow.
Moscow and Pyongyang deny the allegations but promise to step up military cooperation at a summit in JuneA comprehensive strategic partnership was signed.
