SEOUL: North Korea launched two projectiles from its eastern coast on Sunday, marking its second round of missile tests in about a week.
The launches came days after Pyongyang accused the United States and its allies of increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula through military exercises.
South Korea’s defence ministry said North Korea first launched a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) toward the East Sea.
About three hours later, North Korea launched another unidentified projectile, the ministry said.
If the second launch is confirmed as a ballistic missile, it would mark two ballistic missile tests by Pyongyang within a three-hour period.
First Missile Travels 450 Kilometres
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the first launch from the Wonsan area at around 3pm local time.
The military identified the projectile as a ballistic missile. Japan’s defence ministry also said the weapon appeared to be a ballistic missile.
Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that the projectile landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
South Korea’s military said the first missile travelled about 450 kilometres (280 miles). It was believed to belong to the Hwasong-11 series.
Details about the second projectile’s flight were not immediately available.
“South Korean and US intelligence authorities have been tracking and sharing related developments from the initial stage of the launch,” South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
The authorities also shared information about the North Korean ballistic missile with Japan.
South Korea and Japan Condemn Launch
South Korea’s National Security Council condemned the short-range missile launch.
The latest test followed another missile launch on September 12. Seoul said the launches violated UN Security Council resolutions banning North Korea’s ballistic missile activities.
Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi also criticised the latest launch.
“This series of North Korean actions threatens the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community,” Koizumi was quoted as saying by Nikkei.
Pyongyang Criticises US-Led Military Drills
The latest launches came amid growing tensions between North Korea and the US, South Korea and Japan.
North Korea on Saturday rejected a resolution adopted by the UN nuclear watchdog concerning Pyongyang’s nuclear programme.
Pyongyang also criticised a US-led naval exercise involving South Korea and Japan. The drill was held near Guam from August 29 to September 10.
Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, blamed US-led military exercises for what she described as “ever-worsening” tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
She also said North Korea would maintain its policy of strengthening its nuclear ar
