North Korea has test-fired nuclear-capable missiles designed to hit South Korea, Japan, and the mainland US
North Korea fired suspected short-range ballistic missiles into the sea on Monday, South Korean officials said.
The missiles were launched near Pyongyang and traveled about 185 miles before falling in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said. The tests came amid speculation that North Korea could soon put a banned satellite into orbit, marking the April 25 founding anniversary of the North’s denuclearization.
Monday’s missile launches suggest the weapons could be targeting sites in South Korea, prompting harsh words from Seoul. There were no immediate reports of damage.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff strongly condemned the launches, calling them a “clear provocation” that threatened peace on the Korean Peninsula. The office said it was ready to retaliate against North Korea’s provocations.
Neighboring Japan also confirmed the launch of “at least one ballistic missile”.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters that North Korea had fired at least one ballistic missile that traveled 155 miles at a maximum altitude of 30 miles. He also said the missile tests threaten the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community.
North Korea has continued to accelerate weapons tests in recent months to expand its weapons and military capabilities.
Monday’s launch completed a recent trifecta of missile tests, including long-range, medium-range, and short-range flights.
On Saturday, North Korea said it had tested a “super-large” cruise missile warhead and a new anti-aircraft missile last week. In early April, North Korea also test-fired what it called a solid-fuel intermediate-range missile with hypersonic warhead capabilities, a weapon experts predict could be used by the U.S. It is expected to hit targets in the Pacific territory of Guam and beyond.
North Korea has tested nuclear-capable missiles designed to strike sites in South Korea, Japan, and the US mainland in recent years as North Korea continues to develop nuclear weapons.
Some experts, including the South’s military, say North Korea may launch its second spy satellite on April 25, the anniversary of the founding of the North’s military.
In response to North Korea’s evolving nuclear threats, the United States and South Korea are stepping up their bilateral military drills and trilateral exercises with Japan.