Home Asia North Korea Fires Two Ballistic Missiles, Second Missile Test in a Week

North Korea Fires Two Ballistic Missiles, Second Missile Test in a Week

The recent ballistic missile tests by Noth Korea have been criticised by South Korean
The recent ballistic missile tests by Noth Korea have been criticised by South Korean

North Korea has fired two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast, according to South Korea’s military, the second such launch during the past week.

The Government of North Korea launched two ballistic missiles at 05:06 (20:06 GMT Tuesday) and 05:27 local time from the Kalma area near the port of Wonsan.

The missiles flew 250km (155 miles) and reached a height of 30km before landing in the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, said South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

The South’s defence minister Jeong Kyeong-doo said the missiles were identified as a different type from previous models. 

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe confirmed that there was no impact on Japan’s security following the launch.

Six days ago, North Korea fired two short-range missiles, one of which travelled about 690km (428 miles) and the other 430km. 

Last week’s missile tests launch by North Korea was the first such action since US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met in June.

The North called that launch a “solemn warning” to Seoul over its planned military exercises with Washington.

It has previously expressed anger that the annual drills will go ahead next month- an event it sees as preparation for war.

Nuclear activity appears to be continuing, however, and satellite images of North Korea’s main nuclear site last month showed movement, suggesting the country could be reprocessing radioactive material into bomb fuel.

Pyongyang also continues to demonstrate its abilities to develop new weapons despite strict economic sanctions.

It conducted a similar short-range missile launch earlier in May, its first such test since its intercontinental ballistic missile launch in 2017.

North Korea also showed off a new submarine last week, which South Korean officials have determined is capable of carrying up to three ballistic missiles.

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