South Korea’s military reported that North Korea launched several ballistic missiles into the sea off its eastern coast early Saturday morning. The launch originated from the Wonsan area and occurred one day after South Korea, the United States, and Japan concluded joint naval exercises in the region.
According to a statement from South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the missile launch was detected at approximately 5:20 a.m. local time. The JCS said the projectiles traveled about 250 kilometers (155 miles) before landing in the water. Following the event, the South Korean military increased its surveillance and is maintaining close communication with U.S. and Japanese counterparts.
In response to the launch, South Korea’s presidential National Security Office held an emergency security meeting with the Ministry of Defense and other relevant agencies.
The U.S. Pacific Command issued a statement noting the launch did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. territory or its allies. The command affirmed that Washington’s commitment to the defense of South Korea and Japan remains unchanged.
The launch followed five days of joint maritime drills conducted by the U.S., South Korea, and Japan. On Monday, as the exercises began, North Korea’s defense minister, Kim Song Gi, criticized the drills and stated that North Korea was capable of countermeasures. North Korea has consistently described joint military exercises involving the U.S. and South Korea as rehearsals for an invasion.
This event follows a separate North Korean missile launch on August 20, which occurred as South Korea and the United States were conducting their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises. Those drills were held on a smaller scale than in previous years.
