North Korea's missile tests unsettle region amid US elections
North Korea conducted missile tests, launching several ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan, as reported on Tuesday morning by South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
5 November 2024 06:01
According to the JCS, the missiles were launched around 5:30 PM Eastern Time from the vicinity of Sariwon, a city south of Pyongyang in North Hwanghae Province.
The exact number of missiles launched was not disclosed, as data analysis is ongoing in cooperation with the US and Japan.
Japan's Ministry of Defense reported that seven short-range missiles were launched within nine minutes. The missiles travelled a distance of about 402 kilometres, reaching an altitude of up to 100 kilometres. All fell into the Sea of Japan, outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone. No damage to ships or airplanes was reported.
The launches took place just a few hours before the presidential elections in the US.
Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru stated that his country would work closely with the United States and South Korea to analyze the missile launches and increase surveillance "in preparation for unforeseen circumstances."
The US military condemned the missile launches and reaffirmed its "steadfast commitment" to the defence of Japan and South Korea.
Moscow strengthens ties with Pyongyang
The show of force came after a surprise meeting on Monday between Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui.
Recently, Pyongyang also conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile test. According to North Korea's KCNA agency, the missile reached a significant altitude and travelled over 1,000 kilometres during a flight lasting almost 86 minutes.
Source: PAP/The Epoch Times/X/WP
