South Korean Officials have revelaed that North Korea launched two ballistic missiles on Thursday for the second time in less than a week.
In a statement South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff announced that two short-range missiles had been fired from the Hamju area of South Hamgyong province toward the sea, off North Korea’s east coast.
Giving further details, they stated that the projectiles flew about 450 kilometers (280 miles), reaching an altitude of 60 kilometers (37 miles), and are believed to have been ballistic missiles launched from the ground.
A senior US official told CNN earlier that the exact type of the missiles was still unclear, citing an intelligence briefing.
Speaking to reporters in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga denounced the launch as a “threat to the peace and security” of Japan and contrary to United Nations resolutions.
‘Japan lodges its serious protest and strongly condemns,’ Suga said, urging the public to be ‘fully ready for the contingency situation.’
‘It is necessary to enhance monitoring and surveillance more than before,’ he added. ‘I have held an emergency National Security Council meeting. We will work closely together with related nations including the United States and South Korea, and we are determined to protect the people’s lives and peaceful livelihood.’
Earlier, Japan’s Defense Ministry said the projectiles were believed to have landed outside Japanese territory and its exclusive economic zone. Japan’s Coast Guard has warned ships to be on the lookout for falling debris.
The second test in less than a week
Recall that ast weekend, North Korea carried out its first weapons test since US President Joe Biden took office, according to three US officials, launching two projectiles in a move senior administration officials downplayed as falling ‘on the low end of the spectrum‘ of provocations.
Officials and experts had anticipated that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would attempt to send a message to the Biden administration about the country’s importance in the region.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK