[3rd Report] South Korea and US Conduct Counterfire Against North Korean Missile... One Hyunmoo Missile Falls Short

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The South Korean and U.S. military authorities conducted a joint surface-to-surface missile firing into the East Sea in response to North Korea's intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) provocation.

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the 5th, during this joint surface-to-surface missile firing, the South Korean military and U.S. Forces Korea each launched two ATACMS missiles, totaling four, into the East Sea, precisely striking a simulated target. This demonstrated the combined forces' capability to respond to further provocations by North Korea.

The Joint Chiefs emphasized, "Regardless of where North Korea provokes, we maintain a constant surveillance posture and have the capability and readiness to neutralize the point of provocation." They added, "Our military is tracking and monitoring related developments in preparation for additional provocations by North Korea, maintaining a full readiness posture to guarantee overwhelming victory at all times."

According to the military, this is the fourth time that South Korean and U.S. forces have conducted a missile firing in response to North Korean missile provocations. The ROK-US forces fired a total of 14 missiles for strikes (12 by South Korea, 2 by the U.S.) in March, May, and June as response firings.

Meanwhile, during the joint response firing conducted around 1 a.m. that day, the military also launched a Hyunmoo-2 ballistic missile, but an accident occurred where the missile flew abnormally immediately after launch and fell back within the base. The military is investigating the cause. No casualties have been confirmed so far. The strong flash and loud noise caused by the missile falling triggered a flood of inquiries from residents in the Gangneung area to government offices and the media. However, the military did not even provide a notice that it was a 'training,' causing confusion throughout the night. Photos and videos showing flames that appeared to be explosions spread online.

North Korea launched one IRBM around 7:23 a.m. the previous day from the Mupyong-ri area in Jagang Province, flying about 4,500 km over the Japanese archipelago.