(4th LD) N. Korea conducts another missile launch ahead of key S. Korea-U.S. military drills
SEOUL, Aug. 12 (Yonhap) -- North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward the East...
On August 12, North Korea launched a ballistic missile over the East Sea, marking the second such launch in less than a week. South Korea's military detected the missile, which traveled over 700 kilometers, suggesting it was a short-range missile with a range of 300 to 1,000 km. The North Korean KN-23 short-range ballistic missile has a maximum range of 700-800 km. This launch came six days after another short-range missile launch to the East Sea.
Pyongyang has denounced the upcoming combined U.S.-South Korea military drills, called Ulchi Freedom Shield, as war rehearsals and conducted missile tests during the training period. The missile launch may have been a test to improve capabilities, possibly related to the Hwasong-11 missiles designed for tactical nuclear warheads.
South Korea, the U.S., and Japan expressed concern over the latest missile launch, reaffirming that it violates U.N. Security Council resolutions. They called on North Korea to cease such provocations threatening regional peace and security. The U.S. Pacific Command stated the launch does not pose an immediate threat to its territory and allies.
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