The South Korean military apparently detected a medium-range ballistic missile that was fired from the area of the North Korean capital Pyongyang and then fell into the Sea of Japan off the east coast, writes Reuters.
According to South Korea’s estimate, the missile flew 600 kilometers, Japan estimates the flight at 650 kilometers with a maximum height of 100 kilometers.
North Korea is currently testing a new medium-range hypersonic missile powered by a solid fuel engine. It is not clear whether this particular shot was involved. However, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesman Lee Sung-jun said the launch was likely “related” to recent solid-fuel engine testing, Reuters reports.
The United States Indo-Pacific Command said the event did not pose an immediate danger to its troops or allies, but condemned it as unlawful and destabilizing.
South Korean President Jun Sok-yol said the North could try to cause chaos in South Korea ahead of parliamentary elections this month. According to Reuters, he said such an attempt would be futile and that the response to any North Korean aggression would be harsh.
Amid concerns that Russia and North Korea are establishing closer military ties, the United States and its main Asian allies South Korea and Japan are expanding security cooperation, the agency adds.
Tags: North Korea fired suspected mediumrange ballistic missile sea
