North Korea Launches Two Short-Range Ballistic Missiles; South Korea and Japan Condemn Tests
North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area on Sunday, with launches occurring approximately three hours apart. The projectiles landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, prompting condemnation from South Korean and Japanese authorities as violations of UN Security Council resolutions.
North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles off its eastern coast on Sunday, according to defense officials in South Korea and Japan. The tests mark a recent escalation in military activity on the Korean Peninsula.
Both missiles were fired from the Wonsan area. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff detected the first launch around 3 p.m. local time, while the second was detected at about 5:50 p.m., indicating the launches occurred approximately three hours apart. The first projectile is presumed to belong to the Hwasong-11 series and traveled about 450 kilometers. The second missile flew more than 600 kilometers before landing outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
South Korea’s National Security Council condemned the launches as direct violations of UN Security Council resolutions. In response, Japan lodged a formal protest through embassy channels in Beijing. Officials noted that the actions threaten the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community.
North Korean official Kim Yo Jong blamed U.S.-led military drills for worsening tensions on the peninsula. This statement follows news that U.S. President Donald Trump scaled back a joint military exercise with South Korea last month. Despite the heightened rhetoric, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed support for resuming dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea, stating that such talks would be an important starting point for peace.