[2nd Report] North Fires Third Ballistic Missile in Five Days

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] On the 29th, North Korea launched an unidentified missile into the East Sea. This is the third missile launch in the past five days.

On the day, the Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that they are currently analyzing specifications such as range, altitude, and speed, but it is known that there is a high possibility that a ballistic missile was launched.

On the 25th, North Korea launched one ground-to-ground short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) from the Taechon area in North Pyongan Province into the East Sea. This year, North Korea has launched ballistic missiles 19 times and cruise missiles twice. Since the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, this is the seventh missile launch.

North Korea is analyzed to have conducted a show of force in response to the joint maritime exercises conducted by South Korea and the United States in the East Sea Korean Theater of Operations (KTO) from the 26th to the 29th, and the upcoming trilateral anti-submarine warfare exercise among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan scheduled for the 30th. In particular, it is also believed to have targeted the movements of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who visited South Korea on the same day and visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

The South Korea-U.S. joint exercises are also currently underway in the East Sea. The U.S. carrier strike group, including 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 on the 23rd and are currently conducting joint exercises with the Republic of Korea Navy.