By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo

North Korea fired a large number of short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) into the East Sea on May 30, it was confirmed.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said, “At around 6:14 a.m. on May 30, we captured about 10 suspected short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) fired into the East Sea from the Sunan area of Pyongyang, North Korea.”

North Korea has a history of ballistic missile provocations, including test launches, but this is unusual. The missiles traveled more than 350 kilometers before landing in the East Sea. Based on the distance, it is believed to be an intermediate-range ballistic missile (KN-25).

The 350-kilometer distance from Pyongyang includes large cities such as Seoul and Daejeon, and the locations of major air bases in Cheongju, Suwon, Wonju, and Seosan. 

“The military immediately detected, tracked and monitored the launch, closely shared relevant information with the U.S. and Japanese sides, and is comprehensively analyzing the detailed specifications,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

“North Korea's missile launch is a clear act of provocation that seriously threatens the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula,” it said, adding, “The military will maintain the capability and posture to overwhelmingly respond to any provocation while keeping a close eye on North Korea's various activities under a firm ROK-U.S. joint defense posture.”

The North's ballistic missile launch comes 13 days after a short-range test on July 17 that traveled 300 kilometers. North Korea fired a projectile carrying a military reconnaissance satellite on the night of May 27, but it failed when it exploded in midair.

North Korea has been using various means to provoke the South in recent days, including releasing balloons filled with filth on the night of May 28.