North Korea Fires Three Ballistic Missiles In Latest Tests – According to the South Korean military, North Korea fired three ballistic missiles into the sea east of the Korean Peninsula on Saturday. The launches were the latest in an unprecedented series of missile tests undertaken by North Korea this year, as Pyongyang continues to build its weapons amid rumors that it may conduct a seventh nuclear test. The three short-range ballistic missiles were launched from North Hwanghae province, south of the capital of Pyongyang, at approximately 8:00 a.m. local time, according to the joint chiefs of staff of South Korea.
The three flew at an altitude of approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) and a range of approximately 350 kilometers (217 miles), as reported by the Kyodo news agency of Japan, citing the Tokyo defense ministry. The US Indo-Pacific command reported that it was aware of the missile launches and was “consulting closely with our allies and partners.” The launches came a day after South Korea’s defence ministry announced it had successfully conducted a test flight of a solid-propellant space launch vehicle.
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The most recent missile tests follow claims by South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff (JCS) that two ballistic missiles were launched from the Tongchang-ri region of North Pyongan province on December 18. “Our military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance while closely cooperating with the United States and maintaining a full readiness posture,” the JCS said in a statement at the time.
On Monday, five North Korean drones crossed into South Korea, prompting the South’s military to scramble fighter jets and attack helicopters to try to shoot them down, in the first such intrusion since 2017. Relations between US ally South Korea and North Korea have deteriorated since the conservative government of South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol took office in May, promising a tougher stance towards the North.
South Korean news agency Yonhap claimed that North Korea had launched over 70 ballistic missiles last year, including eight intercontinental ballistic missiles. Saturday morning’s launches were not mentioned by North Korean state media KCNA, although it was reported that leader Kim Jong-un had presided over a party conference on Friday to determine policy and strategy for 2023.
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