South Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies were analyzing the early morning missile launch for more details, Yonhap news agency reported.
Published Date – 23rd Sat 22 Jul 05:25pm
Seoul: North Korea fired several cruise missiles into the Yellow Sea on Saturday, raising tensions on the Korean peninsula following a port visit by a U.S. nuclear submarine in more than 40 years and the first meeting of a South Korea-U.S. nuclear consultative group earlier this week.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities were analyzing the launch, which took place around 4:00 a.m., to learn more about the type of missile launched and other details, Yonhap news agency reported.
“Our military has increased surveillance and vigilance while working closely with the United States and maintaining a steadfast readiness posture,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, adding that it was closely monitoring other North Korean activities.
The launch came three days after North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea.
The 18,750-ton Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Kentucky (SSBN 737) left the Busan naval base on Friday, three days after a rare port visit in a major show of strength against the evolving military threat from North Korea.
North Korea condemned the visit, saying the deployment of the ballistic missile submarine could meet its legal conditions for using nuclear weapons.
In March, North Korea said it launched a strategic cruise missile “with a test warhead that simulates a nuclear warhead”.
At that time, the North Korean official media stated that two “Hwasal-1” strategic cruise missiles and two “Hwassal-2” strategic cruise missiles were launched from South Hamgyong Province and accurately hit targets in the East Sea.
