North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile Barrage Toward Sea, South Korea Says
South Korea says a barrage of short-range ballistic missiles was launched from North Korea's east coast Thursday, prompting coordination with the United States and Japan.
By Reuven
North Korea launched a barrage of short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast Thursday, South Korea's military said, prompting Seoul to share information with the United States and Japan.
The missiles were fired from the Wonsan area at about 12:30 p.m. local time, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. They traveled roughly 250 kilometers, and further analysis was under way in coordination with the United States.
Early accounts differed on the number launched. South Korea's military said it had stepped up surveillance and remained alert for additional launches.
Japan's government issued instructions to gather and analyze information, provide timely updates to the public and ensure the safety of aircraft and vessels. The Prime Minister's Office issued the instructions at 12:38 p.m. Thursday.
A South Korean military official said the launch was believed to involve the KN-25 multiple rocket launcher, Yonhap reported. Officials were also considering whether other weapons were involved in a mixed drill; that assessment was not final.
The launch came about a week after Seoul proposed military talks with Pyongyang over border tensions. South Korea's presidential office urged the North to halt provocations after an emergency national security meeting.
NASA's view of the Korean Peninsula accompanies this report as geographic context, not as an image of Thursday's launch.