N. Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles after SK's hypersonic weapon test
Summary
North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Monday after South Korea test-fired a hypersonic glide vehicle. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff detected the launches at about 9:20 a.m. from the Pyongyang area, with at least one missile flying more than 900 kilometers. The JCS described the launches as an apparent protest and a display of North Korea’s missile capabilities.
Key Facts
- South Korea conducted its first test launch of a hypersonic glide vehicle on Thursday after a Sept. 21 mine blast in the Demilitarized Zone.
- The JCS said it needed further analysis to determine whether the missiles were hypersonic or intermediate-range weapons.
- A joint South Korea-U.N. Command investigation determined that antipersonnel mines deliberately planted by North Korea caused the DMZ explosions, while Pyongyang denied responsibility.
- Hypersonic missiles generally travel at least Mach 5, can maneuver along unpredictable flight paths and are designed to fly at low altitudes.
- North Korea previously fired a ballistic missile from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea on Oct. 3, and its state media described it as an intermediate-range strategic missile.
A television screen broadcasts the news of North Korea's launch of ballistic missiles at a station in Seoul, Monday. EPA-Yonhap
North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Monday, South Korea's military said, in an apparent show of force against the South's recent successful test-fire of a hypersonic missile.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch at about 9:20 a.m. from the Pyongyang area and that at least one of the missiles flew more than 900 kilometers.
"Initial analysis suggests (Monday's launch) was seen as a protest against the successful launch of our hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) and a display of the North's achievements under its five-year plan to bolster defense capabilities and a deliberate show of its missile capabilities," JCS spokesperson Jang Do-young told a press briefing.
When asked if the missiles launched were hypersonic or intermediate-range missiles, Jang declined to comment, saying the military needs to further analyze the specifications of the launch.
South Korea conducted its first test launch of a HGV on Thursday in an apparent show of force against North Korea following the Sept. 21 mine blast on the South's side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
A joint investigation with the U.N. Command earlier determined that the explosions were caused by antipersonnel land mines planted deliberately by North Korea. Pyongyang has denied any responsibility, accusing Seoul of fabricating its findings.
A hypersonic missile is usually hard to intercept with existing missile defense shields. It travels at a speed of at least Mach 5 — five times the speed of sound — and is designed to be maneuverable on unpredictable flight paths and fly at low altitudes.
The North's latest missile launch came after it fired one ballistic missile from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea on Oct. 3.
North Korean state media reported the following day that Pyongyang launched an intermediate-range strategic missile as part of efforts to train missile troops operating the "hypersonic strategic weapon system."
The North last fired ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area on Aug. 20.
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