A new intermediate-range ballistic missile tipped with a hypersonic warhead is launched on Jan. 6, in this file photo. (Korean Central News Agency via Yonhap)
A new intermediate-range ballistic missile tipped with a hypersonic warhead is launched on Jan. 6, in this file photo. (Korean Central News Agency via Yonhap)

North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Thursday morning, marking its first missile launch in about two months.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a text message to the press that it detected the launches between approximately 8:10 a.m. and 9:20 a.m. from the area near Wonsan, a coastal city about 180 kilometers east of Pyongyang.

The missiles flew up to 800 kilometers before falling into the East Sea, the military said.

The launch raised speculations that the missiles' performance may have been tested ahead of possible exports.

“(The missile firing) may have been a performance test or flight stability assessment ahead of potential exports,” said JCS spokesperson Lt. Col. Lee Sung-jun during a briefing at the Defense Ministry in Seoul, without mentioning the target of such an arms deal.

While the exact number and specifications of the missiles were not immediately disclosed, Lee said that North Korea fired several missiles — fewer than 10 — using a variety of short-range ballistic missiles, including the super-large multiple rocket launcher and Iskander-type systems.

However, Lee dismissed speculation that the launch was related to preparations for a military reconnaissance satellite.

Lee added that the South Korean military has strengthened its surveillance and vigilance in preparation for additional launches and is maintaining full readiness in close coordination with the United States and Japan.

This is North Korea’s first ballistic missile provocation since a short-range launch into the West Sea on March 10. It also marks the second such provocation since the second administration of US President Donald Trump took office in January.

Earlier this year, North Korea conducted a series of ballistic missile tests, including firing a medium-range hypersonic missile on Jan. 6, a short-range missile on Jan. 14, and a close-range missile on March 10.

In response to Thursday’s launch, South Korea’s National Security Office convened a security assessment meeting led by Second Deputy Director In Sung-hwan, bringing together officials from the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other related agencies.

The government said it is closely monitoring North Korea’s movements and will maintain full readiness to respond to any provocations.

The Foreign Ministry said South Korea, the United States and Japan held a trilateral phone consultation Thursday morning to share assessments of the launch and discuss coordination measures.

“The three countries agreed that North Korea’s ballistic missile launches violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions and pose a serious threat to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the international community,” the ministry said in a statement.

It added that the countries will continue close coordination based on the strong South Korea-US alliance and trilateral security cooperation.


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