Seoul, October 3 (Daily Kiran) : North Korea launched a ballistic missile towards the East Sea on Saturday, as confirmed by South Korea‘s military. This missile test comes at a time of heightened tensions between the two nations, particularly following a recent landmine explosion along their shared border that injured three South Korean soldiers.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea reported that the missile was fired from the Wonsan area around 6:30 AM. However, details regarding the type of missile launched have not been disclosed. According to the JCS, the missile traveled over 700 kilometers before landing in the sea.
The South Korean military is currently working with the United States to assess the missile’s capabilities and gather further intelligence. Both nations had been monitoring the launch closely, sharing information throughout the process.
In a statement, the South Korean military emphasized its commitment to a robust joint defense posture with the U.S., stating, “We are closely monitoring North Korea’s various activities and are prepared to respond decisively to any provocation.”
While the specific type of missile has not been identified, reports suggest it may be a Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) or an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM). A government source indicated that North Korea might have launched an IRBM set for a shorter range, resembling a missile launched on August 12.
On that occasion, North Korea also fired a ballistic missile into the East Sea from the Wonsan area, believed to be a response to the annual “Ulchi Freedom Shield” military exercises conducted by South Korea and the U.S. At that time, the military did not provide precise details about the missile. However, speculation arose that it could have been an MRBM or IRBM test set for shorter distances.
Typically, MRBMs have a range of approximately 1,000 to 3,000 kilometers, while IRBMs can reach distances between 3,000 and 5,500 kilometers.
This missile launch occurs amid already strained relations following an incident on September 21, when an explosion in North Korean landmines in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) injured three South Korean soldiers, two of whom sustained serious injuries.
The South Korean military attributed the explosion to North Korea and labeled it a “clear violation” of the armistice agreement. Seoul has demanded an apology from Pyongyang and a halt to border fortification activities. North Korea has denied these allegations.
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