- North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles on Sunday.
- The missiles flew about 450 km and more than 600 km respectively.
- Japan said both projectiles landed outside its exclusive economic zone.
- The launches came amid Pyongyang’s criticism of US-led military exercises.
GG News Bureau
Seoul, 21st Sept: North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea within roughly three hours on Sunday, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The launches came days after Pyongyang criticised US-led military exercises in the region.
The first missile was launched from the Wonsan area on North Korea’s eastern coast at around 3 pm local time and travelled approximately 450 kilometres. A second missile was fired from the same area at around 5:50 pm and flew more than 600 kilometres, the JCS said.
Japan’s Defence Ministry also confirmed the launches and assessed both projectiles as ballistic missiles. Japanese authorities said the missiles fell outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Japan estimated the first missile travelled about 440 km and the second around 590 km.
South Korean and US intelligence authorities tracked the launches from their initial stages and shared relevant information with Japan. Seoul said it had strengthened surveillance and maintained a heightened readiness posture following the launches.
The latest launches followed North Korea’s September 12 missile test, when it fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea. Pyongyang has also recently criticised US-led military activities, including the Pacific Vanguard 2026 exercise, with Kim Yo Jong warning that North Korea could respond with measures it considers proportionate or more offensive.
Japan has said ballistic missile launches by North Korea violate relevant UN Security Council resolutions and has lodged a protest through diplomatic channels.
