North Korea has launched short-range ballistic missiles in rapid succession, carrying out its 11th missile provocation of the year.
North Korea has launched short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) less than a week apart, carrying out a total of 11 missile provocations so far this year.
The consecutive missile launches ahead of the annual U.S.-South Korea joint military exercise, Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS), which begins Aug. 17, are being interpreted as an attempt to counter the drills and increase pressure on the United States and South Korea.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected one ballistic missile launched by North Korea from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea at around 6 a.m. on Aug. 12. The missile is believed to have flown more than 700 kilometers, making it likely to have been an SRBM. South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are analyzing the missile’s specific specifications. The Japanese government said the projectile reached a maximum altitude of 90 kilometers and flew about 690 kilometers.
The latest show of force came six days after the launch of an SRBM on Aug. 6, marking North Korea’s 11th missile provocation of the year.
The following is a timeline of North Korea’s missile launches and other military provocations this year.
▲Jan. 4 = On the day of President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to China, North Korea launched several ballistic missiles from near Pyongyang toward the East Sea. The missiles flew about 900 kilometers. North Korea claimed it had launched a hypersonic missile that flew 1,000 kilometers.
▲Jan. 27 = North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles from near Pyongyang toward the East Sea. The missiles flew about 350 kilometers. North Korea claimed it had launched four large-caliber multiple rocket launchers that flew 358 kilometers.
▲March 14 = North Korea launched more than 10 ballistic missiles from Sunan in Pyongyang toward the East Sea. The missiles flew about 350 kilometers. North Korea claimed it had launched 600-millimeter multiple rocket launchers that flew 364 kilometers.
▲April 7 = A projectile believed to be a ballistic missile disappeared shortly after being launched from the Pyongyang area.
▲April 8 = At around 8:50 a.m., North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area in Gangwon Province toward the East Sea. They flew 240 kilometers. At around 2:20 p.m., it launched one short-range ballistic missile from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea. It flew about 700 kilometers. North Korea claimed it had conducted a test launch of a Hwasong-11Ga missile equipped with cluster munitions.
▲April 19 = North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles from the Sinpo area in South Hamgyong Province toward the East Sea. The missiles flew about 140 kilometers. North Korea claimed it had test-fired five Hwasongpho-11Ra tactical ballistic missiles equipped with cluster munitions, which flew 136 kilometers.
▲May 26 = North Korea launched short-range ballistic missiles (CRBMs) and other projectiles from the Jeongju area in North Pyongan Province toward the West Sea. They flew 80 kilometers. North Korea claimed it had test-fired CRBMs, extended-range 240-millimeter guided multiple rocket launchers and tactical cruise missiles equipped with artificial intelligence.
▲June 25 = North Korea claimed to have tested extended-range 240-millimeter multiple rocket launchers, ballistic missiles equipped with special warheads and 155-millimeter self-propelled artillery.
▲Aug. 6 = North Korea launched one short-range ballistic missile from the Wonsan area in Gangwon Province toward the East Sea.
▲Aug. 12 = North Korea launched one short-range ballistic missile from the Wonsan area in Gangwon Province toward the East Sea. The missile flew more than 700 kilometers.
