North Korea Fires Short-Range Ballistic Missiles Toward the East Coast

The latest missile activity from North Korea comes directly on the heels of major security exercises involving its neighbors.

Joint Chiefs of Staff Detect Launches From Wonsan Area

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that several short-range ballistic missiles were fired from the Wonsan area toward the sea off the east coast. The missiles were launched from around 5:20 a.m. (2020 GMT on Friday) and flew about 250 km (155 miles), the JCS said in a statement, adding that South Korean and U.S. authorities were conducting a detailed analysis of their specifications.

South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities had tracked and shared information on the launches from the outset, while information on the ballistic missiles was also shared with Japan, the JCS said.

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“South Korea’s military is closely monitoring North Korean activity and maintaining the capability and readiness to respond overwhelmingly to any provocation under its combined defence posture with the United States,” the JCS said in a statement.

Joint Chiefs of Staff, South Korea

South Korea’s presidential National Security Office convened an emergency security meeting involving the defence ministry, the JCS and other relevant agencies following the launch, the presidential office said.

Officials reviewed the government’s response, assessed the impact of the launches on South Korea’s security and examined necessary measures, the presidential office said.

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Trilateral Exercises Conclude as Pyongyang Objects

Saturday’s launch came a day after South Korea, Japan and the U.S. concluded their joint military drills to test readiness against North Korea’s missile and nuclear weapons threats. South Korea’s military said the five-day Freedom Edge exercise is defensive in nature and meant to enhance a joint response capability against North Korean nuclear threats.

Hours after the drill began Monday, North Korea’s defense minister, Kim Song Gi, criticized the exercise and warned North Korea was capable of taking strong and reflective countermeasures from the standpoint of power.

Last month, North Korea launched more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles and ordered its military to maintain full readiness during South Korea’s ongoing joint exercises with the United States.

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U.S. Pacific Command Assesses Regional Risk

Separately, U.S. Pacific Command said it was aware of the launches and was consulting closely with allies and partners. It said the launches, based on its current assessment, did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel, territory or allies.

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“The United States remains committed to the defense of the U.S. homeland and our allies in the region,” it said in a post on X.

U.S. Pacific Command

Intelligence authorities continue to assess the specific parameters of the missiles as regional defense partners maintain heightened surveillance along the maritime border.