North Korea fired a salvo of short-range ballistic missiles toward waters off its east coast on Thursday, South Korean media reported.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement that Pyongyang fired what appeared to be 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan (East Sea), noting that it had stepped up surveillance and informed the UN and Japan of the development, Yonhap News reported.
The statement said the short-range missiles flew about 350 kilometres (217 miles) before falling into the sea. The JCS said in a text message to reporters:
“Our military has strengthened monitoring and vigilance against additional launches, while closely sharing information related to North Korean ballistic missiles with the US and Japanese authorities.”
The military said the launch was a “clear provocation” by Pyongyang and “seriously threatens peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”
The launch came three days after North Korea’s attempt to put a second spy satellite into orbit ended in failure when a rocket carrying the equipment exploded in mid-air.
Leader Kim Jong Un has made the development of more advanced weapons and military equipment a cornerstone of his efforts to modernise North Korea’s armed forces.
On Tuesday, South Korea said North Korea had sent more than 150 balloons carrying “rubbish” across the border.
Tensions escalate
The latest developments have raised fears of escalating tensions between the two countries.
The US, a close ally of South Korea, condemned the launch, while the Indo-Pacific Command called on North Korea to “refrain from further illegal and destabilising actions.” Pyongyang is banned from conducting ballistic missile tests under UN sanctions imposed over its nuclear programme.
A spokesman for South Korea’s permanent mission to the UN told Yonhap News Agency that the Security Council will hold an open meeting on Friday in New York to discuss the failed satellite launch. Such launches also violate UN sanctions because they use technology similar to ballistic missiles.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres was among those who condemned the launch on Monday, calling on Pyongyang to return to dialogue.
