North Korea test-fired two ballistic missiles towards the northeast direction from the town of Jangyon in southeastern North Korea, with one possibly flying abnormally. The first missile flew 370 miles, while the second only reached 75 miles before experiencing an abnormal flight. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff condemned the missile launches as a provocation that poses a threat to peace on the Korean Peninsula and emphasized readiness to repel any further provocations.
The launches came shortly after the completion of the trilateral military drill called “Freedom Edge” involving South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, aimed at improving joint ballistic missile defense capabilities and anti-submarine warfare skills. North Korea strongly denounced this drill, viewing it as an Asian version of NATO meant to pressure China and Russia. In response, North Korea vowed offensive and overwhelming countermeasures to defend its sovereignty, interests, and regional peace.
These missile tests follow North Korea’s recent launch of a multiwarhead missile, claimed to be successful but dismissed by South Korea as a failure. The North has also engaged in sending balloons with trash towards South Korea in response to political leaflets sent by South Korean activists. Additionally, North Korea has formed a mutual defense pact with Russia, raising concerns of potential further provocations towards South Korea.
Meanwhile, North Korea has been holding a key ruling party meeting focused on enhancing Korean-style socialism, with the meeting ongoing as of Monday.
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