DPRK fires ballistic missile toward Sea of Japan: S. Korean military

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 Dec 2023 18:45

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that they had detected the ballistic missile launch but refrained from offering additional details regarding the missile's speed and altitude.

A TV screen shows a report of DPRK's a spy satellite into orbit with its third launch attempt this year, during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Nov. 22, 2023.

The Yonhap news agency reported on Sunday, citing the South Korean military that the DPRK has fired a ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that they had detected the ballistic missile launch but refrained from offering additional details regarding the missile's speed and altitude.

Japan's Defense Ministry said the Korean Missile flew to an altitude of 50 KM and covered a range of 300 KM.

DPRK withdraws from Inter-Korean military agreement

On November 23, the DPRK's defense ministry announced through the state's official news agency KCNA that it has officially withdrawn from the 2018 inter-Korean Comprehensive Military Agreement (CMA).

The withdrawal signifies a departure from the military confidence-building measures aimed at de-escalating tensions between the DPRK and South Korea.

The decision comes just a day after South Korea suspended a portion of the CMA in response to the DPRK's launch of a satellite.

The statement issued by Pyongyang emphasized that as a consequence of this withdrawal, the DPRK would be fortifying its border with South Korea.

This move indicates an intent to resume all military measures that were previously halted under the CMA, thereby heightening concerns about increased military tension along the shared border.

S.Korea orders army to prepare missiles against DPRK if necessary

On December 8, Yonhap reported that the South Korean military has been ordered by Defense Minister Shin Won-sik on Friday to prepare missiles to retaliate against the DPRK in a worst-case scenario.

As quoted by Yonhap, Shin stated, "Maintain a readiness posture at all times to immediately operate world-class, long-range, high-precision and high-power missiles when given the task."

Shin called on the troops to "firmly punish" provocations by what they call 'the enemy', noting that they are a key unit in South Korea's "three-axis" deterrence system.