Tensions On The Korean Peninsula Rise, North Korea Fires Several Cruise Missiles Towards The Yellow Sea

The photo archive - An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) of Hwasong-15 was launched at Pyongyang International Airport, in Pyongyang, North Korea (18/2/2023). (ANTARA PHOTO/KCNA via REUTERS/aww.)

JAKARTA - As of Saturday, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said that North Korea fired several cruise missiles towards the Yellow Sea which were carried out at 4.00 am local time.

According to JCS, South Korean and US intelligence are analyzing the launch, to study the type of missile and other details.

"Our military has increased surveillance and vigilance while working closely with the US and maintaining preparedness," said JCS, quoted from ANTARA, Saturday, July 22.

The missile launch came three days after North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea.

The move comes amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula following a visit to a nuclear-capable US submarine port for more than 40 years and the inaugural session of the South Korea-US Nuclear Consultative Group earlier this week.

USS Kentucky (SSBN 737), an Ohio-class nuclear ballistic missile (SSBN) submarine weighing 18,750 tons, left the Busan naval base on Friday, three days after a rare port visit as a major force show against North Korea's increasingly intense military threat.

North Korea condemned the visit, saying the deployment of SSBN could violate the law over its use of nuclear weapons.

Earlier in March, North Korea said its country launched a strategic cruise missile "paired with a test warhead imitating a nuclear warhead."

At the time, state-owned North Korean media said two "Hwasal-1" strategic cruise missiles and two "Hwasal-2" strategic cruise missiles launched in South Hamgyong Province, accurately hit targets set in the East Sea.