North Korea fires two short-range ballistic missiles into sea
Kim Jong-un
Just hours after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said that the world is holding its breath over the possibility that North Korea might conduct a nuclear test, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) off its east coast.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff informed Friday that the missiles were fired from the Tongcheon area of theNorth's Gangwon province. This was the latest in a record year of tests, whether of short-range missiles, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), or others.
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"Our military is maintaining full readiness posture," the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. He also informed that it had stepped up monitoring and security and was co-ordinating closely with the United States.
South Korea recently wrappedup nearly two weeks of major drills aimed at deterring its neighbour. Seoul had earlier warned that Kim Jong Un may be close to conducting another nuclear test
The launched comes four days after North and South Korea exchanged warning shots off the west coast amid heightened military tension.
Meanwhile, the USmilitary's Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement that the launches did not pose an immediate threat to the United States or its allies, but they do"highlight the destabilising impact" ofNorthKorea's unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes.
NorthKoreahas said its recent missile launches were in protest against the joint exercises, which it says are provocative and a rehearsal for an invasion.
SouthKoreaand the United States say the exercises are defensive and needed to counter theNorth's threats.
(With inputs from agencies)
