North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles into the East Sea this morning, marking the second consecutive day of provocations following an attempted launch of unidentified projectiles on Tuesday.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported on Wednesday that its military detected several unidentified ballistic missiles fired into the East Sea from the Wonsan area in North Korea at approximately 8:50 a.m. hours today. These launches violate United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions on North Korea.
The JCS further stated that its forces have heightened surveillance and alert levels in anticipation of additional launches, adding that the U.S. and South Korean militaries are sharing intelligence on North Korea’s ballistic missile activities and maintaining full readiness posture.
On Tuesday, North Korea also launched projectiles, believed to be either ballistic missiles or multiple rocket launcher systems, from the Pyongyang region. However, these projectiles reportedly malfunctioned and were lost shortly after launch.
The back-to-back provocations appear to be North Korea’s response to President Lee Jae Myung’s expression of regret over a civilian drone incursion into North Korean airspace on Monday. This move also seems to distance Pyongyang from any potential easing of tensions, despite Kim Jong Un’s characterization of Lee’s statement as a bold and frank measure.
In a late-night statement, North Korea’s First Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui declared that the fundamental nature of South Korea as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s most hostile adversary cannot be altered by any words or actions from its officials. Choe criticized South Korea for interpreting their government’s swift response as unusually friendly, dismissing it as wishful thinking by foolish individuals.
The JCS is currently analyzing the specifications of the projectiles launched over the past two days. Some experts suggest that North Korea may have been testing its recently unveiled high-output solid-fuel engine, or launching intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) equipped with such engines. There is also speculation about the possible use of multiple rocket launcher systems designed for targeting South Korea.