North Korea Launches Ballistic Missiles... "Into the East Sea Where South Korea-US Joint Exercises Are Held" (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile into the East Sea on the 28th. Military authorities are analyzing the specifications such as range, altitude, and speed.

This marks the second launch in three days after firing one ground-to-ground short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) from the Taechon area in North Pyongan Province into the East Sea on the 25th. The SRBM launched by North Korea a day before the joint exercise flew about 600 km at an altitude of 60 km. The speed was estimated to be that of the North Korean version of the Iskander (KN-23).

North Korea has launched ballistic missiles 18 times and cruise missiles twice this year. This launch is the sixth missile launch since the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.

It is analyzed that North Korea conducted this show of force in response to the joint maritime exercise conducted by South Korea and the United States in the East Sea Korean Theater of Operations (KTO) from the 26th to the 29th.

The U.S. carrier strike group, including the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), guided missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), and Aegis destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52), entered the Busan operational base on the 23rd. They are conducting joint exercises with the South Korean Navy.