North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS

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North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS

Published: 12 Sep. 2024, 09:08 Updated: 12 Sep. 2024, 10:17

LIM JEONG-WON
lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr

A television screen shows a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at Seoul Station in Jung District, central Seoul, on Thursday. [AP/YONHAP]

North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) into the East Sea on Thursday, marking its first ballistic missile launch since July 1 of this year.

The South Korean military detected the SRBMs launched from the Pyongyang area at around 7:10 a.m. on Thursday, according to Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

The JCS is currently analyzing the detailed specifications of the missiles, including their model and flight distance.

“The military is maintaining full readiness, closely sharing information on North Korean ballistic missiles with U.S. and Japanese authorities, while strengthening surveillance and vigilance in preparation for additional launches,” said the JCS.

Japanese authorities believe the missiles landed in the sea outside their country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

This is North Korea's first ballistic missile launch in 73 days, following its July 1 launch of a tactical ballistic missile equipped with a newly developed high-weight warhead. North Korea had announced additional test launches but has not conducted any until now.

Previously, North Korea had sent balloons filled with trash into the South for five consecutive days, from Wednesday to Monday.

During this period, it was estimated that North Korea had launched about 1,300 trash balloons, with more than 400 of them falling into the South, causing fires believed to have been ignited by balloon-mounted devices.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]