Military boosts surveillance ahead of possible additional launches; South Korea, US and Japan share intelligence closely

North Korea fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area of Gangwon Province into the East Sea on Thursday. Pictured is a tactical ballistic missile fired by North Korea into the East Sea on June 26. [Yonhap]
North Korea fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area of Gangwon Province into the East Sea on Thursday. Pictured is a tactical ballistic missile fired by North Korea into the East Sea on June 26. [Yonhap]

North Korea fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area of Gangwon Province into the East Sea on Thursday.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the military detected the launches at around 12:30 p.m., with the missiles fired from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea.

The Joint Chiefs said it is analyzing the missiles' flight range, altitude, speed and other technical specifications.

"Our military has strengthened surveillance and alert in preparation for additional launches, while South Korea, the United States and Japan are maintaining full readiness while closely sharing information on North Korea's ballistic missiles," the Joint Chiefs said.

The launch came 17 days after North Korea fired ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area into the East Sea on Oct. 12, some of which traveled more than 900 kilometers. North Korea's state media later claimed the launches were test firings of "tactical ballistic missiles."


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