North Korea fires multiple projectiles, Seoul says
- Launch comes after the North fired two short-range projectiles last week
- The devices were fired into the sea from South Hamgyong province
The North “appeared to have carried out joint firing drills involving various types of multiple rocket launchers”, the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said, expressing “strong regret” over Pyongyang’s actions. Initially they said three projectiles were involved, before changing the description to “multiple”.
The devices were fired north-eastward into the sea from South Hamgyong province and flew 200 kilometres (124 miles) at a maximum altitude of 50 kilometres, the JCS said.
That was slightly shorter but also slightly higher than last Monday’s firing.
A Japanese defence ministry spokesman said North Korea had launched what appeared to be “ballistic missile(s)” – which it is banned from doing under UN Security Council resolutions.
In an emergency meeting, South Korea’s security ministers said the North’s continued firing drills were “not helpful” to efforts for lasting peace on the Korean peninsula.
