ROK JCS: North Korea Launches Unidentified Projectile Eastward... Provocation Resumes After Six Days

A tactical ballistic missile is seen rising from a coastal launcher, spewing flames. Screenshot from KCNA [Financial News] The Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff (ROK JCS) said on the morning of the 12th that it had detected a ballistic missile launched by North Korea from the Wonsan area into the Sea of Japan around 6 a. m.
This was North Korea's latest provocation in six days, and the 11th this year. North Korea also fired one short-range ballistic missile (CRBM) from the Wonsan area into the Sea of Japan around 5 p. m.
on the 6th. The ROK JCS said the South Korean military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for additional launches. It added that South Korea, the United States, and Japan are closely sharing information on North Korea's ballistic missile activity and maintaining full readiness.
The ROK JCS is analyzing the type and specifications of the projectile in detail. Earlier, North Korea also launched multiple projectiles, including short-range ballistic missiles (CRBMs), on May 26. At the time, the ballistic missiles flew about 80 kilometers over the Yellow Sea before landing.
North Korea then conducted test launches on June 25, marking the 76th anniversary of the Korean War, including an upgraded 240 mm multiple rocket launcher with 24 tubes, a tactical ballistic missile equipped with a special mission warhead, and extended-range rounds for 155 mm self-propelled howitzers with a range of 65 kilometers. It also carried out a test launch of a strategic cruise missile mounted on the new 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon on July 3. The latest provocation is seen as a move ahead of the Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) joint exercise conducted by South Korea and the United States.
North Korea has typically reacted strongly before and after the South Korea-U. S. joint drills, often staging ballistic missile provocations.
South Korea and the United States announced in a joint briefing on the 10th that this year's UFS exercise will take place from the 17th to the 20th. During the exercise period, 14 field training exercises at battalion level and above will be conducted. Last year, during UFS, 22 of the 44 planned drills, including 17 at battalion level and above, were carried out during the exercise period, while the rest were spread out after it ended.
A military official said, "This year's field training exercises are being integrated at battalion level and above, and are being carried out in a balanced way throughout the year, focusing on essential drills linked to the exercise scenario. " This year's field training exercises during the second-half UFS period will be scaled back compared with previous years.
During the first-half joint exercise, Freedom Shield, held in March, the field training exercises were also reduced to about half of last year's level, or around 20 cases, after differences between South Korea and the United States.
[email protected] Lee Jong-yoon Reporter