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North Korea Fires Ballistic Missiles Off Eastern Coast
Confirmed
In Short: South Korea reported North Korea launched several missiles towards the sea off its eastern coast, a day after joint maritime drills with the US and Japan.
South Korea said it detected several ballistic missiles launched from North Korea’s eastern coast, near Wonsan, around 5:20am on Saturday (20:20 GMT on Friday), according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
The missiles reportedly flew about 250 kilometers (155 miles) and prompted South Korea to boost its surveillance posture and hold an emergency security meeting with the Defence Ministry and other agencies.
In response, North Korea’s defence minister, Kim Song Gi, criticized the joint drills and warned of potential countermeasures. This comes after North Korea fired a barrage of missiles into the sea on August 20, despite earlier overtures from US President Donald Trump, who planned to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The launches occurred a day after South Korea and the US concluded five days of joint maritime drills with Japan, which were focused on North Korea. The US Pacific Command stated that the launch does not pose an immediate threat to US territory or its allies, but remains committed to the defence of South Korea and other allies in the region.
The August launch by North Korea followed a shorter edition of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises between South Korea and the US, which were scaled back following an order from Trump to reduce the drills.
Meanwhile, Ukraine could begin striking Russia with its new FP-7 tactical ballistic missiles within weeks, according to Iryna Terekh, CEO of Fire Point. The FP-7 is one of Ukraine’s largest contractors, producing long-range FP-1 strike drones and FP-5 ‘Flamingo’ cruise missiles, which have repeatedly struck military targets in Russia.
What's confirmed
- South Korea said it detected several ballistic missiles launched from North Korea’s eastern coast, near Wonsan, around 5:20am on Saturday (20:20 GMT on Friday), according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
- The missiles reportedly flew about 250 kilometers (155 miles) and prompted South Korea to boost its surveillance posture and hold an emergency security meeting with the Defence Ministry and other agencies.
- In response, North Korea’s defence minister, Kim Song Gi, criticized the joint drills and warned of potential countermeasures. This comes after North Korea fired a barrage of missiles into the sea on August 20, despite earlier overtures from US President Donald Trump, who planned to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
- The launches occurred a day after South Korea and the US concluded five days of joint maritime drills with Japan, which were focused on North Korea. The US Pacific Command stated that the launch does not pose an immediate threat to US territory or its allies, but remains committed to the defence of South Korea and other allies in the region.
- The August launch by North Korea followed a shorter edition of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises between South Korea and the US, which were scaled back following an order from Trump to reduce the drills.
- Meanwhile, Ukraine could begin striking Russia with its new FP-7 tactical ballistic missiles within weeks, according to Iryna Terekh, CEO of Fire Point. The FP-7 is one of Ukraine’s largest contractors, producing long-range FP-1 strike drones and FP-5 ‘Flamingo’ cruise missiles, which have repeatedly struck military targets in Russia.
What's still developing
- Hours after the exercises began on Monday, North Korea’s defence minister, Kim Song Gi, criticised the exercise and warned North Korea was capable of taking “strong and reflective countermeasures from the standpoint of power”.
- Late last month, North Korea slammed plans for the so-called Freedom Edge exercises in international waters off South Korea as a “threat” to Pyongyang and other countries in the region.
- In June, Shtilerman said the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) could begin launching the first strikes on Moscow with Ukrainian-made ballistic missiles as early as this autumn.
- In brief: Ukraine’s FP-7 tactical ballistic missile could enter combat within weeks after completing two testing stages, its manufacturer says.