North Korea has carried out another pair of missile tests, firing two short-range ballistic missiles from its eastern coast within several hours of each other. The launches came amid continuing disputes between Pyongyang and the United States and its regional allies.
The North Korea missile test on September 20 involved weapons launched from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan. South Korea’s military said both projectiles were ballistic missiles.
Launches Take Place Hours Apart
The first missile was detected at approximately 3 p.m. local time. South Korea said it traveled around 450 kilometers.
A second missile followed at about 5:50 p.m. and traveled more than 600 kilometers, according to the country’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The launches were tracked by South Korean and US intelligence authorities, with information also shared with Japan. Officials were continuing to examine the missiles to establish their exact characteristics.
Japan separately confirmed that the weapons fell into the sea rather than its territorial waters.
Latest Test Comes After September 12 Launches
The new North Korea missile test follows another round of missile launches on September 12.
North Korea subsequently said that earlier exercise involved a combination of military systems, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, multiple rocket launchers and attack drones.
The country has increasingly linked its weapons activity to what it describes as hostile military preparations by the United States and its allies.
Pyongyang Objects to Military Exercises
North Korea has repeatedly criticized military exercises involving the US, South Korea and Japan.
Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and a senior official, has recently accused Washington and its partners of increasing tensions through military activities in the region.
Pyongyang has also said it will continue strengthening its nuclear deterrent, while rejecting international efforts aimed at persuading it to abandon its nuclear weapons program.
South Korea Calls for an End to Launches
Following the latest firing, South Korea’s National Security Office held an emergency security meeting.
Officials said ballistic missile launches by North Korea violate UN Security Council resolutions and called on Pyongyang to stop the activity.
South Korean and US forces remain in close contact as they monitor North Korean military movements.
Washington Sees No Immediate Threat
The United States said it was aware of Sunday’s launches and was consulting with its allies.
US Pacific Command said its initial assessment found no immediate threat to US personnel or territory or to American allies in the region.
Japan has also increased its attention to North Korea’s repeated weapons tests. Its defense minister said the number of ballistic missile launches recorded by Japan this year had already exceeded last year’s total by a significant margin.
North Korea Remains Silent
As of September 21, North Korean state media had not publicly reported Sunday’s launches. Yonhap noted that Pyongyang has sometimes announced missile tests the following day, although that pattern has become less consistent.
The North Korea missile test is the latest development in a broader series of weapons demonstrations. Regional governments are continuing to monitor Pyongyang’s military activity as concerns over missile and nuclear development remain a major issue in East Asian security.
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