North Korea Missile Launch Raises Fresh Tensions in East Asia
North Korea carried out a North Korea missile launch on Sunday, September 20, firing two short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, according to South Korea’s military.
The first missile was launched from the Wonsan area at around 3 p.m. local time. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it travelled about 450 kilometres before falling into the sea.
A second missile was launched almost three hours later. It travelled more than 600 kilometres toward the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan. Both missiles landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
The North Korea missile launch triggered security consultations between South Korea, the United States and Japan on Monday. Officials from the three countries exchanged information about the launches and discussed the regional security situation.
South Korea called on North Korea to stop ballistic missile launches, saying such activity violates United Nations Security Council resolutions. Japan also confirmed that the missiles did not enter its territorial waters.
The launches came after North Korea criticised the Pacific Vanguard maritime exercise. The multinational drill involved the United States, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
North Korea has repeatedly opposed military exercises involving the US and its regional allies. Washington and its partners say such exercises support security cooperation in the region.
The latest North Korea missile launch adds to continuing tensions in Northeast Asia as South Korea, Japan and the United States monitor Pyongyang’s military activities.
