Pyongyang fires unidentified short-range projectiles: Seoul

TIL Desk/World/Pyongyang/ North Korea on Friday fired unidentified short-range projectiles off its east coast, the third such launch in about a week, according to the South Korean military. South Korea”s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the projectiles were fired at 2.59 a.m. and 3.23 a.m. from Yonghung, South Hamgyong Province, into the East Sea.

Both projectiles flew around 220 km at an altitude of about 25 km, according to the JCS, adding that they flew at a top speed of Mach 6.9. What the North fired appears to be a new type of short-range ballistic missiles, but more analysis was needed, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said, adding that it has convened an emergency meeting of security-related ministers to discuss the development.

Earlier in the day, American media also reported, citing US officials, that North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles Friday. “We are monitoring the situation in case of additional launches and maintaining a readiness posture,” the JCS said. In Washington, a senior US official said he is aware of the North”s latest launches.