North Korea fired two missiles into the East Sea on Sunday, with the launches taking place within hours of each other, multiple news agencies reported.
South Korea detected the first launch from the Wonsan area at around 3 p.m. local time (0600 GMT). South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff identified the weapon as a ballistic missile, while Japan’s Defence Ministry also said it appeared to be a ballistic missile, Reuters reported.
A second missile was launched a couple of hours later in the same direction, toward the East Sea, AFP reported.
South Korea, Japan condemn missile launch
"Our military detected a ballistic missile launched from the Wonsan area of North Korea towards the East Sea," South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said following the first launch.
"South Korean and US authorities are conducting a detailed analysis to determine... exact specifications," it said.
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The office of the Japanese prime minister said on X that both projectiles were suspected to be ballistic missiles.
{{/usCountry}}The office of the Japanese prime minister said on X that both projectiles were suspected to be ballistic missiles.
{{/usCountry}}Japan’s Prime Minister instructed authorities to step up information gathering and analysis after North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile from its eastern coast on Sunday.
The Prime Minister’s Office of Japan issued three directives in response to the launch: to make maximum efforts to gather and analyse information, ensure the safety of aircraft, vessels and other assets, and take all possible precautionary measures, including preparedness for contingencies.
North Korea reaffirms nuclear status
The launches took place eight days after North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles towards the East Sea in what it later described as a joint firepower drill.
The exercise involved long-range artillery and missiles. North Korean state media said the weapons were "hitting the targets with 100 percent hit accuracy".
During this week’s General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), North Korea accused "hostile forces" of attempting to end its nuclear programme.
A foreign ministry spokesperson said the IAEA resolution "has no effect on the DPRK's position as a nuclear weapons state", using the acronym for North Korea’s official name.
The spokesperson said North Korea’s nuclear status was "guaranteed by the actual nuclear deterrent and irreversibly and permanently fixed by the supreme law of the state".
(With inputs from agencies)