North Korea’s frequent provocative actions have heightened tensions in Northeast Asia. The South Korean government said that North Korea fired several more multiple rocket launchers on the 20th. Pyongyang has tested a series of weapons this year, as well as the development and testing of so-called “reconnaissance satellites,” but the Seoul government and Washington said North Korea was testing a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system, Agence France-Presse reported.
“North Korea is suspected of firing multiple rocket launchers this morning,” the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a briefing sent to reporters. “Our military remains on alert and is closely monitoring developments.” The briefing contained no further details.
The Yonhap News Agency quoted an unnamed official as saying that within about an hour from 7:20 a.m. on the 20th, North Korea fired four multiple-barrel rocket launchers into the western waters from somewhere in South Pyongan Province, and the South Korean military was still evaluating the intention of the launch.
Yonhap News Agency pointed out that the multi-barrel rocket launcher has low accuracy and loading speed, and can launch a large number of rockets in a short period of time to hit a wide range of targets.
The Blue House, the presidential palace of South Korea, said in a statement that the South Korean National Security Council held an emergency meeting and called for increased combat readiness “to prevent national security from falling into a vacuum during the transition of the government.”
South Korean President-elect Yoon Seok-wook will take office on May 10 after winning the March 9 election.
Responsible editor: Yu Weining