Key facts
- North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Monday.
- The Joint Chiefs of Staff detected the launch from the Pyongyang area at about 9:20 a.m.
- The missiles flew more than 900 kilometers.
- South Korea's military is maintaining an all-out readiness posture and sharing information with the U.S. and Japan.
- This launch follows a suspected hypersonic missile launch on October 3.
- Tensions have heightened since a Sept. 21 land mine blast near the DMZ.
North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Monday, South Korea's military announced, escalating regional tensions. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported detecting the launch from the Pyongyang area at approximately 9:20 a.m., with the missiles traveling over 900 kilometers. South Korea has heightened its surveillance and is maintaining a full readiness posture, coordinating closely with the United States and Japan.
This latest launch occurred less than two weeks after North Korea fired a suspected hypersonic ballistic missile on October 3. The JCS noted that the previous launch involved an intermediate-range strategic missile as part of training for the "hypersonic strategic weapon system."
Tensions between the two Koreas have been particularly high since a land mine explosion on September 21 near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) injured three South Korean soldiers. A joint investigation concluded that North Korean troops deliberately planted the mines. Pyongyang has denied responsibility, accusing Seoul of fabricating the findings and warning of retaliation.