Yonhap reports that the launch of the missile took place at 2:50 a.m. local time in the Ryongsong neighbourhood of Pyongyang, North Korea.
According to the Yonhap news agency in South Korea, which cited the North Korean military as its source, a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) that was test-fired by North Korea on Sunday traveled a distance of 400 kilometers.
According to Yonhap, the missile was fired from the Ryongsong neighbourhood of Pyongyang at 2.50 in the morning (local time). According to Yonhap, which quoted the South Korean military, the missile was launched into the Sea of Japan and flew approximately 400 kilometres before crashing down in the water. This was the first missile to be test-fired by the dictatorship of Kim Jong-un in 2023.
According to North Korean witnesses, who were quoted in a report by Yonhap, the drill that took place on Sunday appeared to be a further retaliation to the test launch of a homegrown solid-propellant space rocket that took place in Seoul on Friday.
The United States Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement that it is aware of the ballistic missile launch, which emphasizes the destabilizing impact of North Korea’s ballistic missile programs. The statement was issued in response to the launch of the ballistic missile.
“While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies, the missile launch, along with the three launches conducted less than 24 hours ago, highlights the destabilizing impact of the DPRK’s unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs,” the statement that was posted on its Twitter handle read. “We have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies,” the statement read.
The United States Indo-Pacific Command has stated that the United States will not back down from its commitment to defend the Republic of Korea and Japan.
According to KCNA, the state news agency of North Korea, the leader of the country, Kim Jong-un, recently made a promise to “exponentially” boost the production of nuclear weapons and construct a more powerful intercontinental ballistic missile. This launch comes at the same time.
The report on the 6th Enlarged Plenary Meeting of the 8th Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee read, as quoted by KCNA Watch, “Now that the South Korean puppet forces who designated the DPRK as their principal army and openly trumpet about preparations for war have assumed our undoubted enemy, it highlights the importance and necessity of a mass production of tactical nuclear weapons and calls for an exponential increase in the country’s nuclear arsenal.”
The North stated in its own release that it conducted sample tests over the weekend using “super-large” calibre artillery shells. These tests took place on Saturday and Sunday. According to reports from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the multiple rocket launcher system was presented to the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea during its critical plenary session.
According to the KCNA, Kim Jong-un stated that the 600-mm super-large shells are capable of being armed with tactical nuclear bombs and have a firing range that encompasses the whole South.
The military of the South classifies these kinds of super-large multiple rocket launchers as SRBMs because of the ranges and trajectories they may follow.
The most recent missile launch by the North has been condemned by the Joint Chiefs of Staff as an act of “significant provocation” that threatens peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in the wider international community, as well as a “clear” violation of the resolutions adopted by the United Nations Security Council.
According to a text message that was provided to the public by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Yonhap quoted it as saying, “Our military will maintain a robust readiness posture based on capabilities to respond overwhelmingly to any North Korean provocations.”
On Saturday, North Korea conducted a test launch of three ballistic missiles with a short range that were directed toward the Sea of Japan. According to Yonhap, the missiles were fired from Chunghwa County, which is located in North Korea’s North Hwanghae Province, at approximately 8:00 a.m. local time.
The Japanese Kyodo news agency reported, citing the country’s Ministry of Defense, that the three ballistic missiles travelled a total of 350 kilometres and reached an altitude of 100 kilometres at their highest point. Every single one of the missiles crashed outside of Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
According to a report by Yonhap, the North launched over 70 ballistic missiles in just the previous year.