The state media agency did not disclose where the firing took place, but South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense announced that several ballistic missiles were launched by North Korea around 6:10 a.m. local time from the Sinpo area toward the Sea of Japan. Sinpo, located on North Korea’s coastline, is a major defense industry hub for North Korea. The country’s submarines are being modified and built at the shipyard there, and ballistic missile-armed submarines are based there.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense also confirmed the launch, detailing that multiple ballistic missiles were fired from near North Korea’s east coast on Sunday. Japan estimates the missiles landed near the east coast of the Korean Peninsula. No flight into Japan’s territory or exclusive economic zone has been confirmed.
According to the South Korean Ministry of National Defense, detailed specifications are currently being analyzed by Japanese, South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities. South Korean forces continue to monitor North Korea’s military movements under a combined South Korea-U.S. defense posture, the statement reads.
“North Korea’s ballistic missile launch is a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions. North Korea must immediately cease its successive missile provocations that escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula and actively participate in the Republic of Korea government’s efforts to establish peace,” reads the release.
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command confirmed the Sunday missile launch in a statement but said the event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or allies and partners.
