[Comprehensive Report 2] North Korea Fires Two Ballistic Missiles into the East Sea

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the East Sea just two days after test-launching a long-range cruise missile.

On the 15th, the Joint Chiefs of Staff informed the press corps at the Ministry of National Defense via text message that "at around 12:34 and 12:39 today, two short-range ballistic missiles were launched from the Yangdok area in South Pyongan Province toward the East Sea," adding, "The flight distance of these projectiles was approximately 800 km, with an altitude of about 60 km."

This marks the fifth time this year that North Korea has conducted a show of force through missile launches. Following the inauguration of U.S. President Biden, North Korea launched cruise missiles on January 22 and March 21, and on March 25, for the first time, fired short-range ballistic missiles in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The Joint Chiefs stated, "Our military is strengthening surveillance and vigilance, maintaining close cooperation between South Korea and the U.S., and is fully prepared."

Professor Kim Dong-yeop of the Graduate School of North Korean Studies said, "Today's missiles appear to be the same as the ballistic missiles launched in March," and added, "They are likely an upgraded version (KN-30) of the North Korean Iskander (KN-23) revealed during the January military parade." He further noted, "It seems to be an effort to demonstrate the first-year achievements of the five-year plan before mid-next month, prior to China setting the tone for the Beijing Olympics."

Meanwhile, Blue House spokesperson Park Kyung-mi stated that President Moon Jae-in received a report from National Security Office Director Suh Hoon regarding North Korea's launch of two ballistic missiles into the East Sea. Furthermore, the Blue House decided to hold a Standing Committee meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) in the afternoon. This is interpreted as a response to North Korea's missile launch just two days after announcing the successful test launch of a long-range cruise missile.