The Joint Chiefs of Staff said on the 12th that at around 9:20 a.m. it detected several ballistic missiles fired from the Pyongyang area into the East Sea (Yonhap, Korea Economic Daily, Kyunghyang Shinmun). It first announced an unidentified projectile, then confirmed several ballistic missiles. Some were reported to have flown more than 900 km (Yonhap, SBS, Asia Economy). Japan's Ministry of Defense said objects believed to be ballistic missiles were launched in succession and that it believes all fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, and later said there were at least two and that it was analyzing irregular maneuvering (Yonhap, Korea Economic Daily). The National Security Office held an emergency situation review meeting, and the Foreign Ministry urged a halt, calling it a violation of Security Council resolutions (Yonhap). China's Foreign Ministry declined to comment (Yonhap, KBS). The European Union on the same day added three North Korean missile technicians and four entities to its sanctions (Yonhap, single report).
North Korean ballistic missile launches are barred by UN Security Council resolutions. If they repeat at short intervals, South Korea–U.S.–Japan coordination and the debate over sanctions on the North become heavier again. If irregular maneuvering is confirmed, the issue becomes whether the North has acquired technology that makes interception harder.
Little touches daily life right away. But if security anxiety grows, foreign investor sentiment and the exchange rate can wobble. It is enough to check government disaster and security alerts and airline and shipping notices.
The view that this is a show of force against South Korea's hypersonic test and an act that raises tension. It holds that South Korea–U.S.–Japan coordination should be strengthened.
The view that, since the North has kept up test launches, it is too early to tie this directly to South Korea's test. It holds that efforts to keep dialogue channels open are needed.
What is confirmed is the launch time and place, the flight distance of some missiles, and Japan's judgment on where they fell. The type, range and motive are not confirmed. It is a fact that the timing overlaps with South Korea's hypersonic test, but until the North says so itself, it is better not to read it as cause and effect. Today, let us watch North Korea's official reaction, any further launch, and the result of the analysis of the irregular maneuvering Japan mentioned.
Yonhap, Korea Economic Daily, Kyunghyang Shinmun, SBS, Asia Economy, Dong-A Ilbo, KBS, Segye Ilbo, Seoul Shinmun, on the 12th
North Korea fires several ballistic missiles from Pyongyang area, four days after South Korea's hypersonic test
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said some flew more than 900 km. Japan detected at least two and believes all fell outside its exclusive economic zone
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said on the 12th that at around 9:20 a.m. it detected several ballistic missiles fired from the Pyongyang area into the East Sea (Yonhap, Korea Economic Daily, Kyunghyang Shinmun). It first announced an ‘unidentified projectile’, then confirmed several ballistic missiles, and some were reported to have flown more than 900 km (Yonhap, SBS, Asia Economy). Japan's Ministry of Defense said objects believed to be ballistic missiles were launched in succession and that it believes all fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone (Yonhap, Korea Economic Daily). It later added that there were at least two and that it was analyzing whether they performed irregular maneuvering (Yonhap). Irregular maneuvering means a missile leaves its set parabolic path and changes direction or altitude in flight. It is nine days since North Korea's previous ballistic missile launch on the 3rd of this month (Dong-A Ilbo). The National Security Office held an emergency situation review meeting (Yonhap, Kyunghyang Shinmun), and the Foreign Ministry called for an immediate halt, calling it a violation of UN Security Council resolutions (Yonhap). China's Foreign Ministry again declined to comment (Yonhap, KBS). The Japan Coast Guard urged people who find fallen objects not to approach them and to report them (Dong-A Ilbo).
The timing overlaps. Cheong Wa Dae said on the 8th that the Agency for Defense Development had succeeded in the first test launch of a hypersonic glide vehicle under development, with President Lee Jae-myung observing (Segye Ilbo, Seoul Shinmun). The weapon is described as separating at the target altitude, then coming down low and flying an irregular trajectory; its speed and range were not disclosed. North Korea reported through the Korean Central News Agency that its launch on the 3rd was a drill for an intermediate-range strategic missile observed by State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un (SBS). Kyunghyang Shinmun wrote that this launch came four days after the South's test and is ‘analyzed as a military response’, and Korea Economic Daily also read it as a tit-for-tat. But North Korea's official explanation had not come as of the night of the 12th. With the type and range still under Joint Chiefs analysis, it is too early to pin down the motive. On the same day the European Union added three North Korean missile technicians and four entities to its sanctions list (Yonhap, single report). Today it is worth watching whether North Korea issues an official position, whether there are further launches, and the result of the analysis of the irregular maneuvering that Japan mentioned.