JCS: "North Korea Launches Ballistic Missile into East Sea" (Comprehensive)

Analyzing Whether Last Month's Test Was Similar to Ballistic Missile
Closely Monitoring Complex Provocations Including South Korea-Directed Trash Balloon Releases

On the 1st, North Korea launched an unidentified ballistic missile eastward. North Korea claimed that the missile launch five days ago was a 'successful' test to secure multiple warhead capability.

On the 1st, the Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile eastward. Citizens at Seoul Station's main waiting room are watching news related to North Korea's missile launch. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced in a text message distributed to the Ministry of National Defense press corps around 5:10 a.m. that day, “North Korea launched an unidentified ballistic missile toward the East Sea.”

The military is currently analyzing detailed specifications such as the missile type and flight distance. It is unclear whether it is a similar type to the ballistic missile North Korea launched eastward from the Pyongyang area around 5:30 a.m. on the 26th of last month.

At that time, the Joint Chiefs of Staff placed emphasis on the possibility that North Korea launched a hypersonic missile, but evaluated North Korea’s claim as exaggerated and deceptive because the missile flew unstably from the initial ascent phase and exploded in midair.

Recently, North Korea has shown a pattern of complex provocations, including ballistic missile launches and the release of filth balloons toward the South. In response to South Korean civilian groups distributing leaflets to North Korea, North Korea released filth balloons toward the South seven times in total from May 28 to the night of the 26th of last month. The military authorities temporarily operated loudspeakers for psychological warfare near the border area on the 9th of last month while North Korea’s filth balloon releases continued, but have not operated them since.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff have repeatedly stated, “We are ready to immediately conduct psychological warfare broadcasts toward North Korea. We will implement them flexibly according to strategic and operational situations, and this depends on North Korea’s actions.”