North Korea silent on Sunday missile launches

Key facts

• North Korean state media has not reported on Sunday's missile launches.
• Two short-range ballistic missiles were launched toward the East Sea on Sunday.
• The launches occurred ahead of the UN General Assembly's high-level debate and a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
• Pyongyang has increased criticism of military exercises involving Seoul, Washington, and Japan.

North Korean state media remained silent early Monday morning on the country's latest missile launches, with the Korean Central News Agency making no mention of Sunday's firing of two short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea. The missiles were fired hours apart, with the first launching around 3:00 p.m. and the second at approximately 5:50 p.m., according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The first missile traveled about 450 kilometers, while the second covered more than 600 kilometers. North Korea typically reports its missile tests the following day, but this pattern has become inconsistent, with three launches last month not being reported at all. The launches occurred ahead of the U.N. General Assembly's high-level general debate, scheduled to begin Tuesday, and an upcoming summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Analysts suggest the launches are intended to signal to the Trump administration North Korea's intent to continue its military buildup. The launches also followed comments from Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who condemned recent U.S.-led maritime drills and vowed a forceful response.