North Korea fired two missiles into the Sea of Japan early Friday morning, South Korean military and U.S. defense officials have said.
Defiant North Korea fires ballistic missile into sea, Japan protests https://t.co/2987icrCax pic.twitter.com/EhiEEpfdYr
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The medium-range missiles were fired around 5:55 a.m. from South Pyongan province. One of the missiles flew about 700 kilometers (435 miles) overland toward the sea off the country’s east coast, the second was detected by radar but disappeared at an altitude of about 17 kilometers (11 miles), the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
This comes just nine days after North Korea fired two short-range missiles from the east coast city of Wonsan.
U.S. officials confirmed the launch, with a U.S. defense official saying that it had tracked two ballistic missiles.
North Korea fires ballistic missile in defiance of sanctions https://t.co/R6ccT7ntu1 pic.twitter.com/xTBYtTS6Xr
— Bloomberg (@business) March 18, 2016
Both missiles are believed to be Nodong medium-range ballistic missiles launched from a road-mobile launcher, according to an official.
U.S. State Department spokesperson John Kirby said the agency is “closely monitoring” the situation.
“We call again on North Korea to refrain from actions that further raise tensions in the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its international commitments and obligations,” he said.
Both missiles are believed to be Nodong medium-range ballistic missiles launched from a road-mobile launcher, according to an official.
The Nodong missile is believed to have an approximate range of 600 miles and would have the capability to reach all of South Korea and parts of Japan.
