World News
North Korea launches multiple ballistic missiles into East Sea, South Korea says
Seoul calls the launch a show of force after its hypersonic test, amid tensions over landmine blasts that wounded three soldiers.
The short version
- North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area toward the East Sea on Monday, South Korea's military said.[France 24]
- Seoul calls the launch a show of force after its own hypersonic missile test, and Japan's coast guard reported two projectiles.[Deutsche Welle · Al Jazeera]
- Tensions rose after a landmine blast wounded three South Korean soldiers; a joint Seoul-UN probe blamed North Korea, which denies it.[France 24]
- South Korean military officials have not specified how many missiles were detected.[Al Jazeera · France 24]
Key facts
- North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles off its east coast on Monday, according to South Korea's military.[France 24]
- South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were detected around 09:20 local time (00:20 GMT) launching from the Pyongyang area toward the East Sea.[France 24]
- One of the missiles flew more than 900 kilometers (559 miles) before falling into the sea, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.[Deutsche Welle · Al Jazeera]
- Japan's coast guard reported two unidentified projectiles, believed to be ballistic missiles, that appeared to have already fallen.[Al Jazeera]
- Japan's defence ministry confirmed the launch of at least one suspected ballistic missile.[France 24]
- South Korean military officials called the launch a show of force in response to South Korea's hypersonic missile test.[Deutsche Welle · Al Jazeera]
- A joint Seoul-UN investigation concluded that North Korea planted the landmines over a year ago; Pyongyang has denied this.[France 24]
- South Korea's presidential office said the repeated missile launches violate United Nations Security Council resolutions and urged an immediate stop.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- South Korea's military has not specified how many missiles were detected.[Al Jazeera]
- Reported projectile counts differ: Japan's coast guard cited two projectiles, while Japan's defence ministry confirmed at least one suspected ballistic missile.[Al Jazeera · France 24]
- The landmine investigation's finding that North Korea planted the mines is disputed; Pyongyang denies responsibility.[France 24]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles off east coast, Seoul saysFrance 24
- North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles towards the seaAl Jazeera
- North Korea fires missiles after Seoul's hypersonic testDeutsche Welle
- North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles, adding to streak of weapons testsAssociated Press