South Korea’s military said North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Tuesday.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense said the missile appeared to have already fallen into the sea and there were no immediate reports of damage.
US pays attention to North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile test
The United States said the launch posed no “imminent threat.”
“While we assess that this incident does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel, territory, or allies, we continue to monitor the situation,” U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement.
The launch came days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a test of his country’s latest intercontinental ballistic missile, designed to reach the U.S. mainland. In response, the United States on Sunday flew long-range B-1B bombers in joint exercises with South Korea and Japan.
On Tuesday, Kim’s powerful sister Kim Yo Jong accused North Korea’s rivals of making “aggressive and adventurous military threats.”
Missile launch ahead of US presidential election
Since 2022, North Korea has stepped up its missile tests in defiance of international sanctions.
Analysts say the recent series of launches is an attempt to gain U.S. attention ahead of this week’s U.S. presidential election.
Monday’s launch also coincided with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Song Hui’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin.
North Korea is estimated to be sending 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia to support the war in Ukraine, according to U.S., South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence services.
North Korea and Russia have deepened cooperation since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the two countries signed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement in June.
sdi/ab (Reuters, AP, DPA)
