Key facts
- North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Saturday.
- The missile was launched from the Wonsan area at 6:30 a.m.
- The missile flew over 700 kilometers before landing at sea.
- South Korea's military is analyzing the missile's specifications with the U.S.
- The launch follows a mine blast in the DMZ that injured three South Korean soldiers.
- North Korea denies responsibility for the mine blast.
North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Saturday, South Korea's military announced, amid heightened tensions following a recent mine blast along the inter-Korean border that injured three South Korean soldiers.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) detected the launch at approximately 6:30 a.m. from the Wonsan area. The missile traveled over 700 kilometers before splashing down in the sea. South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities tracked the launch and are analyzing its exact specifications.
The military stated that it is closely monitoring North Korean movements under a robust combined defense posture with the U.S. and is prepared to respond decisively to any provocations. While the specific type of missile was not disclosed, there is speculation it could be a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) or an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), possibly a reduced-range test.
This launch occurred just 13 days after North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles on September 20. The recent escalation follows a land mine explosion inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on September 21, which injured three South Korean soldiers. Seoul has blamed Pyongyang for the incident, calling it a violation of the armistice agreement and demanding an apology.
North Korea, however, has denied responsibility for the mine blast. Kim Yo-jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong-un, accused Seoul of fabricating the findings and warned of retaliation. She also dismissed proposals for dialogue and clarification of the border line.