As tensions on the Korean Peninsula rise, North Korea conducted another late-night rocket launch early Friday.
The North Korean missile, originating from the Sunan area on Pyongyang’s outskirts, traveled approximately 400 miles and reached a maximum altitude of 31 miles, reported The Wall Street Journal. It ultimately landed in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.
“Whatever the intentions are, North Korea’s repeated ballistic missile launches are absolutely impermissible, and we cannot overlook its substantial advancement of missile technology,” stated Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, per The Washington Times.
Friday’s launch marked the 15th time North Korea has fired a missile since resuming testing on September 25.
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) stated its recent missile tests were mock nuclear attacks on South Korean and American targets. They claimed the tests were in response to “dangerous” military exercises involving a U.S. aircraft carrier on October 10, the Associated Press reported.
U.S. military authorities stated it had assessed the launch and determined it did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel, territory, or allies.
“We will continue consulting closely with our allies and partners to monitor the DPRK’s destabilizing ballistic missile launches,” the statement continued. “The U.S. commitments to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remain ironclad.”
The chairman of South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff, General Kim Seung Kyum, hosted U.S. Admiral John C. Aquilino, commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), during his visit to the Republic of Korea to discuss the regional security landscape, such as DPRK’s nuclear and missile threat and ways to strengthen U.S.-South Korean cooperation, according to South Korean authorities.
Kim and Aquilino concurred at the October 11 meeting that the series of ballistic missile launches by DPRK is “posing great threats to not only the Korean Peninsula but the regional security environment at large.”
General Kim emphasized the importance of “maintaining the ironclad [Republic of Korea-U.S.] Alliance and its steadfast combined defense posture” while highlighting devoted efforts by the U.S. INDOPACOM to ensure swift deployment of U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula if needed.
Aquilino stated the alliance is the linchpin of regional peace and prosperity and, as such, will continue to support efforts to cooperate toward the future relationship closely, South Korean authorities reported.
According to The Washington Times, South Korea’s military said Friday afternoon that North Korea fired 80 more shells off its east coast.
It also reported firing sounds and splashes from about 200 other North Korean artillery launches off its west coast. North Korean shells were believed to have landed in buffer zones on both shores.
