North Korea has fired a short-range ballistic missile into the sea off the east coast of the Korean peninsula.
According to ABC News, South Korea and Japan said that North Korea test-launched two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on Sunday afternoon, September 20.
As per a statement from South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff the first launch came at about 3 pm local time from the port city of Wonson, where the North maintains a military base.
The statement said, "Our military has strengthened surveillance and alert posture in preparation for additional launches. Korea, the United States, and Japan are closely sharing information related to the 'North Korean ballistic missile' and maintaining a full state of readiness."
The ballistic missile flew some 450 km, or about 280 miles, South Korea said, adding that officials in Seoul are working with their US counterparts on "a detailed analysis of its exact specifications."
Military authorities reportedly believe the missile may belong to North Korea’s Hwasong-11 series of SRBMs.
The series includes the Hwasong-11A, or KN-23, often described as North Korea’s version of Russia’s Iskander missile, and the Hwasong-11B, or KN-24, often compared with the US Army Tactical Missile System.
The presidential Office of National Security convened for an emergency security review shortly after the launch, attended by officials from relevant agencies including the Ministry of National Defense and the JCS.
Japan issues warning
The office of the prime minister of Japan issued a warning on social media, saying, "North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile."
Japan's Ministry of Defense later issued a second warning, saying another launch was detected shortly before 6 pm local time. The second launch flew from North Korea's east coast toward the northeast, flying about 590 km, or about 366 miles, and falling into the Sea of Japan, the ministry said.
The ministry said on social media, "North Korea's series of actions, including the repeated launches of ballistic missiles and other projectiles to date, threaten the peace and security of our country, the region, and the international community.”
North Korea had fired multiple projectiles toward the East Sea, a day after South Korea, the United States and Japan concluded their regular multidomain military exercise, Freedom Edge.
