SEOUL: North Korea launched two projectiles from its eastern coast on Sunday, including a suspected short-range ballistic missile, marking its second reported weapons test in about a week amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
South Korea’s defence ministry said the second projectile was launched about three hours after Pyongyang fired the first missile towards the East Sea.
If confirmed as a ballistic missile, the launches would represent two such tests by North Korea within a three-hour period.
First missile flies about 450km
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the first launch from the Wonsan area at around 3pm local time.
The weapon was identified as a ballistic missile, while Japan’s Defence Ministry also assessed that it appeared to be a ballistic missile.
Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that the projectile fell outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
South Korea’s military said the first missile travelled approximately 450 kilometres and was believed to be from the Hwasong-11 series. Details about the second projectile’s flight path were not immediately available.
“South Korean and US intelligence authorities have been tracking and sharing related developments from the initial stage of the launch,” South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said, adding that information about the suspected North Korean ballistic missile had also been shared with Japan.
Seoul and Tokyo condemn launches
South Korea’s National Security Council condemned the missile launch, which came after another test conducted by North Korea on September 12.
The council urged Pyongyang to immediately halt its missile activities, saying the launch directly violated United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi also criticised the latest launches.
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“This series of North Korean actions threatens the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community,” Koizumi was quoted as saying by Nikkei.
The launches come amid continuing tensions over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes and military exercises conducted by the United States and its regional allies.
North Korea criticises US-led military drills
On Saturday, North Korea rejected a resolution adopted by the UN nuclear watchdog concerning Pyongyang’s nuclear programme.
The North Korean government also recently criticised a US-led naval exercise involving South Korea and Japan. The drills were conducted near Guam between August 29 and September 10.
Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, blamed US-led military exercises for what she described as worsening tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
She also said North Korea would maintain its current policy of strengthening its nuclear capabilities.
The latest missile launches are expected to add to concerns in Seoul and Tokyo over North Korea’s continued development and testing of ballistic missile systems.
