N. Korea Fires Ballistic Missile into East Sea... S. Korea Responds with Solid-Fuel Rocket (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dong-hyun] North Korea fired three short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) into the East Sea on the 31st.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that from around 8 a.m. that day, North Korea launched three short-range ballistic missiles from the area of Junghwa County, Hwanghaebuk-do, into the East Sea. This resumption of ballistic missile provocations came just one day after our military authorities publicly announced the successful test flight of a solid-propellant space launch vehicle.

Our military is analyzing specific parameters such as flight distance, altitude, and speed. The launch site, Junghwa County in Hwanghaebuk-do, is located about 60 km south of Pyongyang. There have been almost no reports of ballistic missile-related activities in this area until now.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff explained, "Our military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance, and is maintaining full readiness while closely cooperating with the ROK-US alliance."

This ballistic missile provocation is the second in eight days, following the launch of two solid-propellant short-range ballistic missiles near Sunan, Pyongyang, on the 23rd.

Meanwhile, North Korea held the fifth day of the 8th Central Committee's 6th plenary meeting of the Workers' Party, discussing the New Year's national policy direction. The meeting is continuing on this day as well.

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