North Korea's Short-Range Ballistic Missile Flies 230 km at an Altitude 24 km Lower

Joint Chiefs of Staff Analyze 2 North Korean SRBMs over East Sea
Flight Distance 230 km, Altitude 24 km, Speed Mach 5

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) launched by North Korea on the 28th were found to have flown at a low altitude of 24 km.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that from around 11:59 a.m. to 12:18 p.m. on the same day, they detected two SRBMs launched by North Korea from the Tongcheon area in Gangwon Province toward the East Sea.

The two missiles were detected flying approximately 230 km in distance, at an altitude of about 24 km, and at a speed of about Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound).

Detailed specifications are currently being analyzed precisely by South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities.

An altitude of 24 km is lower than the minimum interception altitude of 50 km for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.

However, it falls within the engagement range of the Patriot (PAC-3) interceptor missiles.

Experts express concern that interception may be difficult if the missiles fly at more than five times the speed of sound at such a low altitude.

Based on the flight distance, it is estimated that the missiles were aimed at “Alseom,” an uninhabited island off the coast of Kilju County, Hamgyongbuk Province, which North Korea frequently uses as a target for SRBM strikes.

Tongcheon is the site where North Korea launched ballistic missiles for the first time this year; in August 2019, tactical ground-to-ground missiles were also launched from this location.

The military stated, “This ballistic missile launch by North Korea is a serious provocation that threatens peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in the international community. It is a clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions, and we strongly condemn it and urge an immediate halt.”

They added, “In preparation for further provocations by North Korea, we will maintain a firm readiness posture while closely monitoring related developments in close cooperation between South Korea and the United States.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.