The South Korean military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff released a statement saying that North Korea launched an “unspecified ballistic missile” along its eastern coast.
The launches began at approximately 7:45 a.m. local time, with both missiles traveling towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan. Japan’s Defense Ministry also announced they detected a second ballistic missile launch that occurred around 8:30 a.m. local time.
However, neither South Korea’s Joint Chiefs nor Japan’s Defense Ministry provided further details of the launch beyond it was a ballistic missile.
The launches are the second and third times that North Korea launched an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile on January 14th.
The launches also occurred after South Korea and the United States completed the annual Freedom Shield joint exercise on March 14th. This year’s exercise revolved around strengthening capabilities to prevent and deter North Korea from using its nuclear weapons and missiles. North Korea condemned the exercise, saying both countries will “pay a dear price” for holding it.
