Ten missiles fired off North Korean coast after border dispute deepens
South Korea reported the launches on Thursday, less than a week after Seoul invited Pyongyang to talks over a landmine incident that injured three soldiers.
By Chiara Saeed ·
Ten short-range ballistic missiles were launched from North Korea's east coast on Thursday, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The projectiles were fired into the Sea of Japan at approximately 12:30 p.m. local time. The launch site was located near Wonsan on the eastern seaboard.
Japan's Defense Ministry confirmed the activity. Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported that the ministry identified the objects as ballistic missiles that landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.
The volley occurred during a period of heightened tension following a landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone on September 21. Three South Korean soldiers were injured in that incident.
A joint investigation by South Korea and the United Nations concluded that North Korea planted the mines more than a year prior. Seoul requested an apology based on those findings.
Pyongyang disputed the conclusion. Kim Song, the North Korean permanent representative to the United Nations, sent a letter to the Security Council this week. He accused South Korea of fabricating the explosion and shifting blame for a dubious incident.
Kim Song warned that violations of sovereignty could trigger self-defense measures. He described South Korean claims as a farce designed to evade responsibility for escalating tensions on the peninsula.
Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, rejected the apology demand. She labeled the request as despicable and separately declined an offer of medical equipment from Seoul.
South Korea invited North Korea to military talks last Friday. The goal was to restore communication channels as military activity along the border increased.
It is not yet clear if Pyongyang will accept the invitation. Kim Jong Un has suspended most dialogue with Seoul in recent years.
The situation complicates recent diplomatic overtures from United States President Donald Trump. Seoul has expressed concern about being sidelined in potential nuclear talks.
North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles one day after Trump suggested he might meet Kim this year.
Source: Al Jazeera
