North Korea launches two ballistic missiles

South Korea and Japan reported that North Korea conducted two ballistic missile tests in the direction of the Sea of ​​Japan (East Sea).

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that the tests were carried out at 07:41 and 07:51 local time from the southwestern region of Jangyon. The short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) were reported to have traveled more than 600 kilometers in the air and crashed in the Sea of ​​Japan.

Japanese Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu said the missiles in question fell outside Japan’s national exclusive economic zone.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said in a statement that there was no damage to cruise elements in the region where the missiles struck. Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu said that with missile tests of various types, the Pyongyang administration could increase its provocations in the region.

Notably, the test was carried out after the “Liberty Shield” exercise, which was launched yesterday by the South Korean and US militaries and is scheduled to last until March 23. In the South Korean statement on the exercise, the expression “This is an exercise based on a joint operational plan designed to defend South Korea against possible aggression from the North” was used. (AA)