JCS: "North Korean Ballistic Missile Flies 600km at 60km Altitude"

Military: "Ballistic missile launch is a serious provocative act"
ROK-US naval joint exercise to proceed as planned

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced on the 25th that the short-range ballistic missile launched by North Korea flew approximately 600 km at an altitude of 60 km.

The Joint Chiefs stated that at around 6:53 a.m. that day, North Korea launched one short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) from the Taechon area in North Pyongan Province. The missile was detected traveling at about Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound). Detailed specifications are being analyzed precisely by South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities.

Experts estimate that based on the specifications, this ballistic missile is similar to North Korea's version of the Iskander ballistic missile.

Immediately after the missile launch, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kim Seung-gyeom shared the situation through a coordination meeting with General Paul LaCamera, Commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command. The Joint Chiefs reaffirmed that through planned ROK-U.S. joint naval exercises, they will further strengthen the combined defense posture against any threats and provocations from North Korea.

The military stated, "North Korea's ballistic missile launch is a serious provocative act that threatens peace and security not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in the international community, and is a clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. We condemn this and strongly urge an immediate halt."

They added, "In preparation for further provocations by North Korea, we will maintain a firm readiness posture based on the capability to overwhelmingly respond to any provocations by closely monitoring related developments in close cooperation between South Korea and the U.S."

On the 23rd, the U.S. carrier strike group, consisting of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), guided missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), and Aegis destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52), entered the Busan operational base. They are scheduled to conduct joint exercises with the Republic of Korea Navy.