North Korea Missile Fired to Coincide with US Midterm Elections... Military Aircraft Trails Also Identified (Comprehensive)

New North Korean Missiles Suspected, Including Iskander-Type
Multiple Military Aircraft Tracks Detected Near Impact Area
Military: "Close ROK-US Cooperation... Strengthening Readiness"

North Korean ballistic missile [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] North Korea resumed military provocations by launching a missile after four days. It is analyzed that this act was aimed both at the upcoming U.S. midterm elections and as a response against South Korea's Taeguk Exercise.

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the 9th, North Korea launched one short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) toward the East Sea from the Sukchon area in South Pyongan Province at around 3:31 p.m. The missile's flight distance was 290 km, altitude 30 km, and speed approximately Mach 6 (six times the speed of sound). Detailed specifications are being precisely analyzed by South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities.

The missile is presumed to be one of the newly developed North Korean SRBMs, such as the North Korean version of the Iskander (KN-23) or the North Korean version of the ATACMS (KN-24). The missile, flying northeast from Sukchon, reportedly struck an uninhabited island near South Hamgyong Province, west of 'Alseom,' an uninhabited island in front of Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province, which is usually the target area for North Korean SRBMs.

Additionally, multiple North Korean military aircraft tracks were detected near the missile impact area around the time of the launch. The military is reportedly conducting further analysis to determine whether these aerial activities were connected to the missile launch.

A Joint Chiefs of Staff official explained, "Immediately after North Korea's ballistic missile launch, we closely shared the situation through a South Korea-U.S. coordination meeting and confirmed that we will further strengthen the combined defense posture against any threats and provocations from North Korea."

He added, "The consecutive ballistic missile launches by North Korea are serious provocations that undermine peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in the international community. They are clear violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions, and we strongly condemn them and urge immediate cessation."