North Korea launches several ballistic missiles after South Korean hypersonic test

Pyongyang, North Korea. North Korea launched several ballistic missiles on Monday towards waters east of the country, according to South Korea’s military. It was Pyongyang’s fourth launch within a month and followed a recent South Korean hypersonic missile test.

Military reports missiles of different types

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were launched near Pyongyang at approximately 9:20 a.m. local time (0020 GMT). They appeared to include different types, with one type travelling over 900 km (559 miles).

In an earlier report, Japan’s coast guard said it had detected two unidentified projectiles suspected to be ballistic missiles. Both appeared to have fallen already, it said.

South Korea’s National Security Office held an emergency meeting and condemned the launches, saying they breached resolutions adopted by the United Nations Security Council. The office called for the launches to stop immediately.

UN sanctions imposed on North Korea since 2006 seek to stop its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile development.

Weapons tests amid rising tensions

Tensions between the Koreas have increased in recent weeks as both countries have conducted weapons tests.

Last week, President Lee Jae Myung supervised South Korea’s first hypersonic missile test-firing. His public appearance at the test was unusual for a South Korean president.

A spokesperson for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday’s launches appeared intended both to demonstrate North Korea’s missile capabilities and to project force following South Korea’s successful hypersonic missile test.

North Korea’s previous ballistic missile launch was on October 3. State news agency KCNA reported that the weapon was a hypersonic missile and that leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test.

Dispute over border mine explosion

The weapons tests followed a mine explosion at the border last month that injured three South Korean soldiers.

Seoul attributed the planting of the mines to North Korea and called for an apology. Pyongyang dismissed Seoul’s position and accused South Korea of provocation.