North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast on Tuesday morning, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The missiles, detected around 9:30 am local time (00:30 GMT), were reportedly fired from Jagang Province, traveling approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) before landing in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.
The JCS confirmed it was closely monitoring North Korea’s military activities and coordinating with the United States and Japan. South Korea’s military condemned the missile launches as a “clear provocation” that threatens regional peace and stability, warning North Korea against further escalations and vowing a decisive response if necessary.
South Korea’s Acting President Choi Sang-mok reiterated the country’s firm stance, emphasizing Pyongyang’s continued violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions that prohibit such missile tests.
This latest test follows North Korea’s January 6 launch of a hypersonic intermediate-range missile, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un previously vowing to expand the nation’s nuclear arsenal to counter perceived threats from the US, South Korea, and Japan.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi also acknowledged the launch and assured close coordination with Washington and Seoul for security measures, including real-time missile data sharing.