North Korea Launches Short-Range Ballistic Missile

North Korea's ballistic missile doCUMENTATION/launch. (Source: KCNA)

South Korea's military says North Korea has re-launched a number of short-range ballistic missiles to the northeast that have raised tensions already high due to the disclosure of a rare North Korean uranium enrichment facility last week.

Joint Staff (JCS) reported that they detected the launch at around 6:50 am (8:50 WIB) from the Kaechon area in South Pyongan Province, north of Pyongyang, and the missile flew about 400 kilometers.

However, they did not provide further details, such as the number of missiles launched or landing sites. Including the latest launch, North Korea has launched ballistic missiles more than 10 times this year.

Responding to the launch and evaluation of the security situation, the presidential office held a meeting chaired by the Second Deputy National Security Adviser, Yin Sung-hwan.

"The government has firmly warned against North Korea's provocation," an official from the presidential office said in a press release reported by Antara from Yonhap, Wednesday, September 18.

The government, he continued, is closely monitoring North Korea's provocative movements and preparing for various possible provocations to protect the lives and safety of its people.

South Korea, the United States, and Japan criticized the latest launch, including the disclosure of uranium facilities by North Korea last week delivered during telephone talks between their nuclear envoys, according to a release by South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The three sides called the launch a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions and agreed to maintain coordination to respond firmly to the North threat, while monitoring possible additional provocations from North Korea, according to the release.

JCS also condemned the launch, saying the move seriously threatened peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Meanwhile, US Indo-Pacific Command said it was consulting closely with South Korea and Japan over the launch and called on North Korea to refrain from further illegal action and destabilization.

On Friday (13/9), North Korea revealed uranium-based nuclear facilities, a day after launching several short-range ballistic missiles towards the East Sea.