(Bloomberg) — North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles on Friday, as it continues a barrage of launches in opposition to US and South Korean military drills.
Most Read from Bloomberg
The missiles were fired from the eastern coastal province of Kangwon from 11:59 a.m. to 12:18 p.m. local time on Friday, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul. They flew about 230 kilometers (150 miles), hitting an altitude of 24 kilometers and reaching speeds of Mach 5, it said, adding that South Korea’s military was strengthening surveillance and coordinating closely with the US.
The US Indo-Pacific Command said it was aware of “the ballistic missile launches” and that it’s “consulting closely” with allies and partners. Japan said the missiles landed outside its exclusive economic zone.
The latest missiles come on the final day of South Korea’s annual Hoguk defense drills, which began on Oct. 17. Ahead of the exercises, North Korea test-launched a short-range ballistic missile, fired artillery rounds and flew about 10 warplane near the inter-Korean border.
South Korea and the US will hold a five-day Vigilant Storm exercise from Oct. 31 involving some 240 military aircraft, Yonhap News said earlier, citing the Air Force.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said earlier this week the nation assesses that North Korea already completed preparations for a seventh nuclear test. Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup said Wednesday that South Korea should work to deter the use of nuclear weapons by sending North Korea a message it would bring an end to Kim Jong Un’s regime if they are used.
(Adds missile details in 2nd paragraph)
Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek
©2022 Bloomberg L.P.
