North Korea launched a ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan on the morning of 3 October. It flew more than 700 km and fell into the water.
This was reported by Yonhap, citing South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
The military recorded the launch at around 6:30 local time from the area of the city of Wonsan on the Sea of Japan coast.
South Korean and US intelligence tracked the launch from an early stage and throughout the missile’s flight. Military specialists from the two countries are now analysing the data obtained to determine the missile’s type and characteristics.
In Seoul, it is suggested that it may have been a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) with a range of 1,000 to 3,000 km, or an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) with a range of 3,000 to 5,500 km.
The JCS said South Korea’s military is monitoring various North Korean movements as part of a joint defensive posture with the United States and remains ready to respond to any provocations from Pyongyang.
In Seoul, it is believed the launch may be linked to heightened inter-Korean tensions following a mine explosion on 21 September in the demilitarised zone. Three South Korean soldiers were injured, two of them seriously.
After an investigation, South Korea blamed North Korea for the mine explosion and called it a violation of the armistice agreement. Pyongyang denied involvement in the incident and accused Seoul of fabricating its conclusions.
- The previous launch of ballistic missiles by North Korea took place on 20 September. Two short-range ballistic missiles were launched towards the Sea of Japan.