North Korea has fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the open sea.
(Photo: dpa)
Seoul North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles from its east coast toward the sea on Monday. According to the South Korean military, there were two rockets, the Japanese coast guard initially even spoke of three projectiles, which, according to the state broadcaster NHK, all fell within a few minutes outside the Japanese economic zone.
North Korean media later confirmed that two missiles were fired from a multiple rocket launcher, aimed at targets 395 and 337 kilometers away. “The 600mm multiple rocket launcher used in the launch is a tactical nuclear weapon,” state news agency KCNA reported. He was able to “paralyze” an enemy airfield. South Korea and Japan condemned the rocket launches.
South Korea’s foreign ministry announced sanctions against four people and five companies linked to the government’s weapons programs in Pyongyang, including a South African national and two Singaporean shipping companies, in response to the latest tests. The US Indo-Pacific Command said the recent launch poses no immediate threat but underscores the “destabilizing effect” of the isolated country’s illegal weapons programs.
North Korea warns US against interference
North Korea fired a ballistic missile (ICBM) earlier on Saturday after the Pyongyang government threatened a drastic response to annual joint US-South Korean military exercises. North Korean leader’s sister Kim Yo Jong warned of an increased US presence on the Korean Peninsula after the United States held bilateral air exercises with South Korea and Japan on Sunday in response to the ICBM launch.
“We are carefully evaluating the impact this would have on the security of our state,” Kim Yo Jong said in an official statement. “The frequency of using the Pacific as a firing range depends on the behavior of US forces.” North Korea has “satisfactory” missile technology and capability and will “now concentrate on increasing the quantity of its armed forces”.
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The United Nations (UN) urged North Korea to “immediately refrain from further provocation” and to resume dialogue on denuclearization. Tensions will continue to escalate in the coming weeks, analysts say, as South Korea and the US hold simulated nuclear exercises to enhance American nuclear weapons operations this week and the annual spring field training called “Freedom Shield” in March.
North Korea completed an unprecedented missile test program last year. This also included ICBMs capable of reaching the American mainland. In addition, the communist country is preparing for the first test of nuclear weapons since 2017. South Korea and the USA have responded to the North Korean missile tests with military maneuvers. North Korea sees such exercises as preparation for an invasion.
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