North Korea fires ballistic missiles

North Korea fired two ballistic missiles towards the sea off the Korean Peninsula’s east coast on Sunday.

The missile launch comes just days after North Korea tested a high-thrust solid-fuel engine that experts said would allow the quicker and more mobile launch of ballistic missiles.

Reports say the test, overseen by leader Kim Jong Un, was conducted on Thursday at North Korea’s Sohae Satellite Launching Ground which has been used to test missile technologies, including rocket engines and space launch vehicles.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the two medium-range missiles flew about 500 km (311 miles).

Japan’s Vice Defence Minister Toshiro Ino said the missiles seemed to have landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and there had been no report of damages.

“North Korea’s ballistic missiles were launched at steep angles and landed in the East Sea,” South Korea’s JCS said in a statement.

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“South Korean and the United States intelligence authorities are conducting a thorough analysis, factoring recent trends related to North Korea’s missile development.”

North Korea has conducted an unprecedented number of missile tests this year, including an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, despite international bans and sanctions.

Reuters/Zainab Sa’id