They flew 500 kilometers.. Seoul condemns the escalation of tension

North Korea launches two medium-range ballistic missiles

People gather in Seoul to watch news coverage of the missile launch.

EPA

South Korea and Japan announced yesterday that North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea off the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula, and Seoul condemned the escalation of tension.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff in South Korea said that the two missiles were medium-range ballistic missiles that flew about 500 kilometers, and were launched at an acute angle and landed in the East Sea, while Japanese Deputy Defense Minister Toshiro Ino confirmed that the two missiles launched by North Korea appeared to have fallen outside the economic zone Exclusive to Japan, no casualties were reported.

The agency's statement stated that the intelligence services in South Korea and the United States are conducting a comprehensive analysis in view of the factors of the latest trends in the development of North Korean missiles.

The Bloomberg news agency quoted the US Indo-Pacific Command as saying, in a statement, that it is aware of North Korea's launch of two ballistic missiles, adding that this does not constitute a direct threat to the United States, but it highlights the destabilizing effect that North Korea's weapons program represents. .

South Korea's presidential office said, in a statement, that a meeting of the country's National Security Council was held after the missile launches, and strongly condemned the escalation of tension on the Korean peninsula.

The presidential office added that the North continues provocations and develops nuclear weapons and missiles, exposing the regime in North Korea to additional risks.

The launch of the two missiles comes just two days after North Korea tested a solid fuel engine with high thrust, which experts said would allow for faster and easier launch of ballistic missiles as it seeks to develop a new strategic weapon and accelerate its nuclear and missile programmes.

The official Korean Central News Agency stated that the test, which was supervised by leader Kim Jong Un, took place last Thursday at the Sohae satellite launch site, which is used to test missile technology, including its engines and space launch vehicles.

North Korea has conducted an unprecedented number of missile tests this year, including an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the US mainland despite international embargoes and sanctions.

Last November, North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile that Japanese officials said had enough range to reach the US mainland, and it landed just 200 kilometers off Japan.

And Japan revealed, last Friday, a plan to strengthen its military position worth $ 320 billion to buy missiles, and this military build-up is its largest since World War II.

 United States: "The two missile launches highlight the destabilizing impact of North Korea's weapons program."

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