North Korea has reportedly launched several short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea (Sea of Japan), Korean media reported on Thursday, citing the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff.
According to South Korean military officials, the missiles were launched from the area of Wonsan, located on the east coast of North Korea.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff emphasised that the South Korean army is preparing for new North Korean missile tests and is therefore stepping up surveillance and vigilance, maintaining a state of full combat readiness. In addition, the South Korean military is actively exchanging information on North Korean ballistic missiles with its American and Japanese counterparts.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said the authorities are aware of reports of a possible missile launch by North Korea and are gathering and analysing information.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited one of the country’s leading tank factories, where he set the task of replacing outdated armoured vehicles with modern models on Wednesday.
On March 21, North Korea tested a new anti-aircraft missile.
On March 13, the DPRK had camouflaged an intercontinental ballistic missile launch site under a golf club.
The DPRK has repeatedly conducted weapons tests in response to joint exercises by Seoul and Washington, but “this year it has preferred to use more rhetoric rather than carry out major provocations, such as the use of long-range ballistic missiles.”
