North Korea Launches 3 Ballistic Missiles Amid Tensions Over Violation of Airspace by Drones

A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea's rocket with the test satellite during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, on Dec. 31, 2022. Lee Jin-man/AP Photo

North Korea fired three short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Saturday, according to the South Korean military, which criticized Pyongyang for amping up launches in 2022 amid speculation that it could be preparing another nuclear test.

Maj. Gen. Lee Seung-O, South Korea’s director of operations at the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), said at a Saturday news conference that the launch is “a grave provocation” that undermines peace of the international community as well as the Korean Peninsula.

“It is a clear violation of the U.N. Security Council resolution,” said Lee. “Thus, we urge them to stop immediately.”

Around 8 a.m. local time, Seoul detected three short-range ballistic missiles that were launched from North Hzanghae Providence, south of Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, Lee said.

The JCS noted that the three missiles traveled about 220 miles before landing in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. The estimated range suggests the missiles tested could target South Korea.

The latest launch comes a day after South Korea’s Ministry of Defence announced it had successfully conducted a test flight of a solid-propellant space launch vehicle, which it plans to use to put its first spy satellite into orbit in coming years.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said Saturday’s launches highlight “the destabilizing impact” of North Korea’s unlawful weapons programs and that the U.S. commitments to the defense of South Korea and Japan “remain ironclad.”

Earlier Saturday, Japan’s Defense Ministry also reported suspected ballistic missile firings by North Korea

Later Saturday, senior diplomats from South Korea, Japan, and the United States jointly denounced North Korea’s launches after a phone call. They agreed to reinforce their deterrence against North Korea and work together to achieve the North’s denuclearization, according to the South Korean and Japanese foreign ministries.

Record Number of Missile Launches

North Korea’s missile tests ramped up to an all-time high in 2022, totaling around 92 ballistic and other missiles. At one point, it launched 23 missiles in one day alone.

An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is prepared for launch in this undated photo released on Nov. 19, 2022. (North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)/ via Reuters)

Since 1984, North Korea has launched more than 270 missile launches and nuclear tests, of which more than a quarter were conducted in 2022, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies Missile Defense Project.

Those strategic weapons include tactical nuclear weapons, a new intercontinental ballistic missile, hypersonic gliding flight warheads, nuclear-powered submarines, and a reconnaissance satellite.

Drones Violate Airspace

Earlier this week, tensions between the two rival countries rose when South Korea accused North Korea of flying five drones across the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in violation of its airspace.

It was the first time in over five years that a North Korean drone crossed the demarcation line that separates the two countries. In a tit-for-tat move, South Korea fired warning shots and sent its own drones toward North Korea for the first time.

On Tuesday, President Yoon Suk-yeol called for more military preparedness and training, criticizing Seoul’s response after it failed to shoot down any of the five North Korean drones.

“The incident showed a substantial lack of our military’s preparedness and training for the past several years, and clearly confirmed the need for more intense readiness and training,” Yoon said during a meeting.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News