CNN
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South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff told reporters on Sunday two short-range ballistic missiles flew from the Munchon area of Kangwon Province to waters off the east coast of the peninsula.
According to Japanese Defense Minister Toshiro Ino, the missile was launched from 1:47 a.m. to 1:53 a.m. Sunday.
Both rockets fell outside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone, Ino added.
According to Ino, the first rocket is estimated to have flown about 350 kilometers, or 217 miles, at a maximum altitude of about 100 kilometers, or 62 miles. The second person travels the same distance.
Ino noted that there have been no reports of damage to ships at sea, but the Ministry of Defense is still analyzing the details and investigating what types of missiles were launched, including if they were missiles. ballistics launched from submarines.
South Korea’s military has increased surveillance, vigilance and maintained a combat readiness posture while working closely with the United States, the country’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
This is the 25th missile launch this year, according to CNN statistics, including ballistic and cruise missiles. The most recent launch occurred on Thursday when North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles, the latest in a series of launches over the past two weeks.
The Japan Coast Guard has instructed ships to pay attention to the information and not to approach any objects that have fallen at sea. It also requires ships to report any relevant information.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff on Saturday “strongly condemned” the launches, calling them a “serious provocation” that harms peace and safety, they said in a statement. sent to reporters.
“North Korea’s repeated ballistic missile launch is a serious provocation that damages the peace and safety of the Korean Peninsula and the international community, and it is also an act of clear violation of UNSC resolutions,” the joint chiefs condemned and urged North Korea to immediately stop such missile tests.
Joint commanders said the missile launched early Sunday had a range of about 350 kilometers and an altitude of about 90 kilometers.
The South Korean military will continue to maintain a “solid readiness posture” while tracking and monitoring related movements under close cooperation with the US, the joint leaders added.
On Tuesday, North Korea fires another missilewithout warning, flew over Japan, prompting Japan to warn its citizens to take shelter.
The missile flew over northern Japan early in the morning and is believed to have landed in the Pacific Ocean. The last time North Korea fired ballistic missiles at Japan was in 2017.
The US Indo-Pacific Command said on Saturday the latest launches “do not pose an immediate threat to US personnel or territory, or to our allies”. I.”
“We are aware of two ballistic missile launches and are in close consultation with our allies and partners,” the commander said in a statement. “The missile launch highlights the destabilizing impact of North Korea’s illegal WMD and ballistic missile programs. The U.S. commitments to the defense of South Korea and Japan remain unchanged.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warning if North Korea continues to “follow this path” in terms of provocations after Tuesday’s ballistic missile launch, “it will only increase condemnation, increase isolation, and intensify sanctions.” steps taken in response to their actions”.
America impose new sanctions Friday, following North Korea’s recent ballistic missile tests, the US Treasury and State Departments said.
North Korea often fires missiles into the waters off the Korean Peninsula, making Tuesday’s flight over Japan significantly more provocative.
The active acceleration in weapons testing has raised alarm in the region, as the US, South Korea and Japan respond with missile launches and joint military exercises. The US has also redeployed an aircraft carrier to waters near the peninsula, a move South Korean authorities called “very unusual”.
Ino said Japan has made a strong protest against North Korea through its embassy in Beijing.
On Thursday, US, South Korean and Japanese warships conducted a missile defense exercise in the Sea of Japan, US-Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement.
