JCS: "North Korea Fires 2 Ballistic Missiles" (Comprehensive Report 2)

Ballistic Missile Provocation Launched Again Five Days Later
The Launch Area This Time Is Jangyeon, Hwanghaenam-do Region

North Korea launched two ballistic missiles in the early morning of the 1st. This is the first ballistic missile provocation by North Korea in five days.

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 Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) stated in a text message distributed to reporters covering the Ministry of National Defense that "the military detected one short-range ballistic missile launched northeastward around 5:05 a.m. from the Jangyeon area in South Hwanghae Province, and around 5:15 a.m., an additional unidentified ballistic missile trajectory was detected and is currently being analyzed."

On the 26th of last month, North Korea launched one ballistic missile eastward from the Pyongyang area around 5:30 a.m., and the next day, state media claimed it was a "successful" test to secure multiple warhead capability. However, the JCS assessed that North Korea's claim was exaggerated and deceptive, emphasizing the possibility that North Korea launched a hypersonic missile, which flew unstably from the initial ascent phase and exploded mid-air.

The JCS explained, "The military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for additional launches, and is maintaining full readiness while closely sharing information related to North Korean ballistic missiles with U.S. and Japanese authorities."

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

The JCS has repeatedly stated, "We are ready to immediately implement psychological warfare broadcasts toward the North. We will carry them out flexibly depending on strategic and operational situations, and this depends on North Korea's actions."