According to the report, North Korea fired at least one unidentified ballistic missile toward the country’s east coast on Monday Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea. The Japanese Defense Ministry also announced at 3:04 p.m. that it had discovered the launch, adding that the projectile fell or hit its target shortly before 3:11 p.m.
The Japanese government said it had detected the launch and was gathering information about whether it could pose a threat to the archipelago.
The short flight time, probably less than ten minutes, suggests this a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) or a 600 mm multiple rocket system (MLRS). North Korea’s last MLRS test in March was conducted with the Multiple rocket launchwhich led to complaints from Seoul and Tokyo that they had released incomplete real-time detection information, NKNews reports.
The last time North Korea reported a short-range missile test was in August 2023. Seoul also reported SRBM missile tests last September and December, but North Korean state media did not provide details of those launches.
Monday’s shooting comes after North Korea claimed it tested on Friday new cruise and anti-aircraft missiles: Short-range systems aimed at South Korean and American targets across the inter-Korean border.
Pyongyang also claimed to have tested a new medium-range ballistic missile solid fuel was equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle earlier this month, although Seoul said DPRK state media had exaggerated its capabilities.