North Korea has carried out the launch of several short-range ballistic missiles in the direction of the Sea of Japan —also known as the East Sea— according to the South Korean Army. The firing occurred just one day after South Korea, the United States, and Japan concluded trilateral military exercises.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS, for its acronym in English) of South Korea has confirmed the initial detection of an "unidentified" projectile, immediately pointing to Pyongyang as responsible. According to data released by the South Korean news agency Yonhap, the missiles are believed to have flown about 250 kilometers before impacting the sea.
Yonhap has reported that the official warning was issued at 05:46 hours on Saturday (local time in Seoul, 23:00 on Friday in mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands). Until that moment, Japanese authorities had not issued any public assessment regarding the incident or possible effects on their territory.
Subsequently, the JCS itself explained that the intelligence services of South Korea and the United States have monitored the situation in real-time and have shared data on Pyongyang's movements, also sending relevant information to Japan.
"Our armed forces are closely monitoring the various movements of North Korea under a firm joint defense posture between South Korea and the United States, and maintain the capability and readiness to respond decisively to any provocation," stated the South Korean military leadership.
In this context, the South Korean Army has reinforced its observation tasks to detect possible new launches and has emphasized that it will remain at the highest level of alert. It has also reiterated that it will continue to share all information being gathered with its American and Japanese allies, according to statements from the Joint Chiefs of Staff cited by the same outlet.
THE US ASSURES THERE IS NO "IMMEDIATE THREAT"
The United States Army Pacific Command has communicated via social media that it is aware of the latest launches carried out by North Korea and has indicated that, according to initial assessments, these firings do not currently represent a direct threat to its troops, its territory, or that of its allies in the area.
"We are aware of the recent missile launches and are closely consulting with our allies and partners," the Pacific Command has stated in a message released after the episode.
The U.S. command has added that it continues to coordinate with allied countries and partners in the region to examine the development of events and clarify the range of the missiles fired.
Washington has reiterated its commitment to regional stability and to defending its interests and those of its partners against possible hostile actions from the North Korean regime.
"The United States remains committed to the defense of the U.S. homeland and our allies in the region," the U.S. military unit has reiterated.
This new launch adds to the one carried out in mid-August, when North Korea already fired a barrage of short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan following joint maneuvers by Seoul and Washington, despite the then U.S. president, Donald Trump, having ordered a reduction in the scope of such exercises as a gesture toward North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.