The fourth confirmed missile test by Pyongyang this year comes just days after South Korea’s president issued an unprecedented apology over a civilian drone incursion.
North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japan, South Korean media reported on Wednesday, citing the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul.
The missiles were fired on the morning of April 8 from the Wonsan area in the northern part of North Korea. They flew approximately 240 kilometres (150 miles).
This marks the fourth confirmed ballistic missile launch by Pyongyang since the start of the year.
In a statement, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said its military was closely monitoring North Korean activities and maintaining “readiness to respond decisively to any provocations.” The statement also noted that South Korean intelligence agencies had tracked the missile launch in coordination with their US counterparts, with both sides actively sharing relevant information.
On April 6, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung issued an apology to North Korea over a drone launch by private individuals towards the republic. The president described it as regrettable that some citizens would allow themselves to carry out such provocative acts against Pyongyang.
