North Korea Fires Multiple Ballistic Missiles Toward Sea of Japan

North Korea Fires Multiple Ballistic Missiles Toward Sea of Japan

North Korea fired several ballistic missiles off its east coast on Monday, October 12, prompting heightened security measures in South Korea. Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were launched from the Pyongyang area towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.

South Korean officials reported that some of the missiles travelled more than 900 kilometres, while Seoul and the United States began analysing their specifications. Japan’s Defence Ministry also confirmed the launch of at least one suspected ballistic missile.

The launches came amid rising tensions following a landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone that injured three South Korean soldiers. A joint Seoul-United Nations investigation attributed the mines to North Korea, but Pyongyang has strongly denied responsibility.