North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles, South Korea military says
Launch comes six days after Pyongyang test-fired two new short-range ballistic missiles
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.North Korea has fired “multiple ballistic missiles”, Yonhap news agency has reported, citing the South Korean military.
The projectiles were launched from Hodo peninsula in South Hamgyong province on North Korea’s east coast, according to the Seoul-based agency.
The South Korean military’s joint chiefs of staff said they were “monitoring the situation in case of additional launches and maintaining a readiness posture,” Yonhap added.
The missiles flew around 250km (155 miles) and appeared to be of a different type from previous launches, the South Korean defence minister Jeong Kyeong-do told the news agency.
The latest launch comes six days after North Korea test-fired two new short-range ballistic missiles.
Last week’s launch was the first test since leader Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump met last month and agreed to revive denuclearisation talks.
The North said the 24 July tests were a “solemn warning” to South Korea over its plans to hold military exercises with the US.
Mr Kim was said to have personally supervised the launch of the two missiles, which according to a joint US-South Korea analysis both flew distances of more than 600km (372 miles) before landing in the Sea of Japan.
The US played down last week’s launches and said talks with the North would resume within weeks.
“Everybody tries to get ready for negotiations and create leverage and create risk for the other side,” said Mike Pompeo, the secretary of state.
However, the US state department also urged “no more provocations” from North Korea.
“This administration is committed to diplomatic engagement with the North Koreans and we continue to press and hope for these working-level negotiations to move forward,” a spokeswoman said last week.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments