North Korea ballistic missile launch: Pyongyang fired two suspected short-range missiles off its east coast within about three hours.
North Korea carried out a North Korea ballistic missile launch involving two suspected short-range missiles from its eastern coast on Sunday, September 20, according to South Korean and Japanese authorities. The launches came roughly a week after another missile test and followed Pyongyang’s criticism of US-led military drills on the Korean Peninsula.
According to South Korea’s defence ministry, the second missile was launched less than three hours after the first. The developments were reported by The Times of Russia as tensions surrounding North Korea’s missile and nuclear programmes continued to draw attention from regional governments and the United States.
North Korea Ballistic Missile Launches From Wonsan
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the first launch from the Wonsan area at around 3 p.m. local time, or 0600 GMT. The weapon was identified as a ballistic missile, while Japan’s defence ministry also assessed that the projectile appeared to be ballistic.
The first missile travelled approximately 450 km, or 280 miles, before coming down in the East Sea. South Korea’s military said the weapon was presumed to belong to the Hwasong-11 series.
Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported that the projectile landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
Around 5:50 p.m. local time, or 0850 GMT, another short-range missile was launched from Wonsan. South Korea said the second missile travelled more than 600 km, or 373 miles.
If the second launch is confirmed as a ballistic missile, the two launches would represent two consecutive North Korea ballistic missile tests within a period of about three hours.
South Korea and US Monitor North Korea Missile Test
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said South Korean and US intelligence authorities had been monitoring developments related to the launch from its initial stage.
The two countries also shared information concerning the North Korea missile launch with Japan.
The South Korean National Security Council condemned the launches. The latest tests followed another missile test on September 12.
South Korea’s National Security Council called on Pyongyang to immediately stop its missile activity, stating that the launches directly violated United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The South Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff has continued to coordinate with US and Japanese authorities regarding developments involving North Korea’s weapons programmes.
US Says Launches Do Not Pose Immediate Threat
The United States said it was aware of the latest North Korea missile launch and was consulting closely with its allies and partners.
US Pacific Command said that, based on current assessments, the events did not pose an immediate threat to US personnel or territory or to US allies.
The statement came as South Korea, the United States and Japan continued monitoring North Korea’s military activity in the region.
Japan also responded to the launches by lodging a protest through embassy channels in Beijing, according to a Nikkei report.
Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi was quoted by Nikkei as saying that the series of actions by North Korea threatened the peace and security of Japan, the region and the international community.
North Korea Criticises US-Led Military Drills
The latest North Korea missile test came amid renewed criticism from Pyongyang over military activities involving the United States, South Korea and Japan.
North Korea last week condemned a US-led naval drill that included South Korea and Japan. The exercise was conducted near Guam from August 29 to September 10.
On Friday, Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, blamed US-led military exercises for what she described as “ever-worsening” tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Kim Yo Jong also said North Korea would make no change to its course of strengthening its nuclear arsenal.
North Korea’s criticism of the exercises came shortly before the latest North Korea ballistic missile launch.
North Korea Rejects UN Nuclear Watchdog Resolution
On Saturday, North Korea rejected a resolution adopted by the UN nuclear watchdog concerning Pyongyang’s nuclear programme.
The development added to tensions surrounding North Korea’s nuclear activities and its continued development and testing of missile systems.
The latest launches, combined with Pyongyang’s statements regarding military drills and its nuclear programme, have prompted continued monitoring by South Korea, Japan and the United States.
For The Times of Russia, the September 20 launches represent the latest development in a series of North Korean missile tests and statements concerning military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
The North Korea ballistic missile launch on September 20 involved two suspected short-range missiles fired from the Wonsan area within roughly three hours. South Korea identified the first projectile as a ballistic missile and said the second travelled more than 600 km.
The launches followed North Korea’s criticism of US-led military drills and came shortly after Pyongyang rejected a UN nuclear watchdog resolution concerning its nuclear programme. South Korea, Japan and the United States are continuing to monitor developments.
The Times of Russia will continue to report on developments surrounding North Korea’s missile tests, regional security and the Korean Peninsula.
