North Korea launched two ballistic missiles today, the South’s military confirmed, the latest in a series of weapons tests conducted by Pyongyang that have soured relations with Seoul.
A short-range ballistic missile was launched in the early hours of the morning, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. About 10 minutes later, a second missile was detected. “Our military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for further launches,” the JCS said, adding that it had shared information about the incidents with the United States and Japan. North Korea’s official KCNA news agency did not immediately confirm the launches.
North Korea announced last week that it had successfully tested a missile with a multiple warhead, but the South said the launch ended in a mid-air explosion. Relations between the two Koreas are at their lowest point in years, with the North stepping up weapons tests while bombing the South with garbage-filled balloons. Pyongyang says the shipments are in retaliation for balloons filled with anti-regime propaganda leaflets sent to the North by Southern activists. In response, Seoul has completely suspended a military de-escalation treaty. It has also resumed propaganda broadcasts over loudspeakers and live-fire exercises near the border.
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