North Korea launched an unidentified projectile toward the East Sea on March 14, marking its first show of force in approximately six weeks.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced via a media advisory at around 1:30 p.m. (South Korean time) that North Korea had fired an unidentified projectile eastward.
The JCS reported detecting over ten unidentified ballistic missiles launched from the Sunan area in North Korea toward the East Sea at approximately 1:20 p.m. (South Korean time).
They further stated that it has heightened surveillance and alert levels in anticipation of additional launches. They’re maintaining a state of full readiness while closely sharing information with the U.S. and Japan regarding North Korea’s ballistic missile activities.
U.S. and South Korean officials are currently analyzing the specifications, range, and potential motives behind North Korea’s latest projectile launches.
If confirmed as ballistic missiles, this would mark the third launch this year and the first in 47 days.
Previously, on January 27, North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) into the East Sea, which reportedly traveled about 350 km. This coincided with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby’s regional tour.
North Korea also conducted cruise missile launches from the destroyer Choe Hyon-ho on March 4 and 10.
Experts suggest that this latest launch may have been timed to coincide with the visit of Michael DeSombre, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, who was in South Korea on March 11.