North Korea launched a suspected long-range ballistic missile towards the sea off its eastern coast, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported. This event occurred on Thursday, a day after Seoul noted preparations in the North for a potential intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test. The missile was launched from near Pyongyang at 7:10 a.m., at a sharply increased angle. The South Korean military has yet to confirm whether the missile reached the sea. The statement suggested it was a long-range ballistic missile fired at a high angle.
Japan’s Coast Guard also noted the missile launch, with the Japanese government predicting it would land around 2336 GMT, approximately 300 km west of Okushiri Island, north of Hokkaido. On Wednesday, South Korea’s Defence Intelligence Command observed that North Korea had positioned a mobile launcher to potentially test an ICBM coinciding with the U.S. presidential election on Tuesday.
North Korea has previously conducted ICBM tests with steep trajectories to limit distance, reducing political risks of a missile landing far into the Pacific. However, a standard trajectory launch is crucial for ICBM development, ensuring the warhead’s ability to re-enter the atmosphere and accurately hit a target. The last ICBM test in December involved a solid-propellant missile launched from a road launcher at a high angle, indicating a potential range of 15,000 km on a standard path.
BREAKING 🇰🇵 North Korea has just launched an unidentified ballistic missile towards the East Sea.
This supposedly came hours after the defense chiefs of South Korea and the United States condemned troop deployments to Russia. WW3 WWIII
pic.twitter.com/G56rHgv1z2— ▓ MIИИΞДPФLIS 2074⠐❌ (@Minneapolis420) October 31, 2024
International condemnation has followed North Korea’s actions, particularly after South Korea and the United States accused Pyongyang of sending 11,000 troops to Russia to assist in the Ukraine war, with 3,000 already near the frontlines. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and South Korea’s Kim Yong-hyun criticised this deployment during a meeting in Washington on Wednesday. Austin warned that North Korea’s involvement could extend the 2-1/2-year conflict in Ukraine and potentially involve more parties.
What Other Media Are Saying
- DW reports North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward North Korea’s eastern waters, highlighting rising tensions and continued defiance despite international sanctions.(read more)
- AP News reports North Korea’s missile tests amid escalating tensions with the U.S. and South Korea, emphasizing Kim Jong Un’s calls for nuclear arsenal expansion and uranium enrichment defiance.(read more)
- SCMP reports North Korea’s long-range ballistic missile test, emphasizing consistent technological advancements and international condemnation, highlighting security concerns for the Korean peninsula.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Did North Korea launch a ballistic missile recently?
Yes, North Korea launched a suspected long-range ballistic missile on Thursday.
Where did North Korea’s missile land?
It’s predicted to land around 300 km west of Okushiri Island, north of Hokkaido.
Why does North Korea launch missiles at steep angles?
Steep trajectories limit distance, reducing political risks of landing far into the Pacific.
Is there international concern about North Korea’s actions?
Yes, there is international condemnation, especially regarding troop deployment to Russia.
What could North Korea’s involvement in Ukraine mean?
It could extend the Ukraine conflict and potentially involve more parties.
