N. Korea fires multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS

North Korea fired what appeared to be multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Wednesday, South Korea's military said, marking its first missile launch since President Lee Jae Myung took office. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launches northeastward at about 8:10 a.m. from Junghwa in North Korea's southern North Hwanghae Province. The North last fired short-range ballistic and cruise missiles toward the East Sea on May 8 and May 22, respectively. "Our military has stepped up monitoring in preparation for (the possibility of) additional launches and is maintaining a steadfast readiness posture while sharing relevant information with the U.S. and Japan," the JCS said in a release. It marks the North's first missile launch in the Lee Jae Myung government, which took office in June, and the fifth ballistic missile launch so far this year. The launch also comes ahead of South Korea's upcoming hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on Oct. 31-Nov. 1. The first missile launch in nearly five months came amid concerns that the North may coWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times