North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles towards eastern waters

North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles towards the East Sea on Monday, October 12, according to South Korea’s military, in the latest weapons test amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launches at about 9:20 a.m. from the Pyongyang area. The missiles travelled more than 900 kilometres, according to the military statement reported by Yonhap News Agency.

The JCS said South Korea had strengthened its surveillance activities in preparation for possible additional launches and was maintaining a high state of readiness.

“The South Korean military has stepped up its surveillance to prepare for additional launches and is maintaining an all-out readiness posture, while closely sharing relevant information with the United States and Japan,” the military said.

The latest launches came less than two weeks after North Korea fired a suspected hypersonic ballistic missile, adding to concerns about Pyongyang’s continued development and testing of advanced weapons.

On October 3, North Korea launched a ballistic missile from the Wonsan area towards the East Sea. State media subsequently reported that the country had tested an intermediate-range strategic missile as part of efforts to train troops operating its hypersonic weapons system.

The latest test also followed South Korea’s first test launch of a hypersonic glide vehicle on October 8, in what was viewed as a demonstration of its own military capabilities.

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Tensions between the two Koreas have also increased following a landmine explosion on September 21 on the South Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which injured three South Korean soldiers, two of them critically.

A joint investigation by South Korea and the United Nations Command concluded that landmines deliberately planted by North Korean troops caused the explosion. Pyongyang has rejected the allegation, accusing Seoul of fabricating the findings and warning of retaliation if South Korea takes countermeasures.

North Korea’s missile programme has remained a major security concern for South Korea, Japan and the United States, which have continued to coordinate their monitoring of developments in the region.

Monday’s launches underline the persistent military tensions between the two Koreas and the challenges facing regional efforts to prevent further escalation.

South Korea’s military said it was maintaining close coordination with Washington and Tokyo as it monitored the situation. No immediate details were provided in the report about the missiles’ precise types or whether they caused damage.

The latest launches come amid continued competition between the two sides to strengthen their military capabilities, with missile tests and weapons demonstrations adding to uncertainty over security on the Korean Peninsula.

(washingpost)