DPRK launches missile for the second time in eight days
North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles from its east coast toward the Sea of Japan. According to the South Korean military, the first missile flew about 450 kilometers, while the second traveled more than 600 kilometers.
DPRK launches missile for the second time in eight days
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea tested two short-range ballistic missiles on Sunday, September 20.
According to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, the missiles were launched from North Korea's eastern coast toward the Sea of Japan. Approximately three hours passed between the two launches.
The first missile was launched around 15:00 local time from near the city of Wonsan and traveled a distance of approximately 450 kilometers.
The second missile was recorded at around 17:50. It flew a distance of more than 600 kilometers.
The South Korean and US militaries are conducting a joint analysis to determine the exact type and technical specifications of the missiles.
The Japanese government expressed a strong protest to North Korea and called the missile launches a threat to peace and security in the region.
The tests were carried out eight days after the previous launches. The South Korean military had reported that several ballistic missiles were also launched from the Wonsan area toward the Sea of Japan on September 12.
The new missile tests were conducted a few days after Pyongyang once again declared itself a nuclear-armed state and rejected the International Atomic Energy Agency's resolution on halting nuclear activities.
Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said the country's status as a nuclear state is "absolute." She sharply criticized those who hope that Pyongyang will give up its nuclear weapons.
US President Donald Trump said in August that North Korea has 57 "very powerful" nuclear warheads.
The South Korean side estimates the number of nuclear warheads at Pyongyang's disposal to be between 80 and 120. These figures have not been independently verified.
On September 12, the North Korean armed forces conducted large-scale strike drills involving artillery and missile units.