DPRK fires two unspecified ballistic missiles as Kim visits Russia

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
13 Sep 2023 08:23

As DPRK leader Kim Jong Un meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Japanese Ministry of Defense says the DPRK launched a couple of ballistic missiles.

A photo of the launching of a DPRK ballistic missile (KCNA)

The DPRK launched an unspecified ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan early Wednesday, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported, citing South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

According to the report, the military did not provide any details of the launch, pending an analysis.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense also confirmed the missile launch on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying the DPRK "launched an object that could be a ballistic missile."

In a statement, the Japan Coast Guard cited the Defense Ministry as saying that the suspected ballistic missile had already landed.

Later, the Coast Guard claimed that the DPRK is believed to have launched a second ballistic missile.

"According to the data of the Ministry of Defense, North Korea launched what is believed to be a ballistic missile," it said, calling on maritime and airborne vessels to monitor the information.

It also urged all maritime and airborne vessels to report to Japan's maritime security services if any fallen fragments of the missiles are found, warning against approaching the debris.

Japanese broadcaster NHK cited government sources as saying that both missiles are believed to have landed outside the exclusive economic zone of Japan.

Concurrently, Russian President Vladimir Putin and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un met shortly on Wednesday at Russia's Vostochny Cosmodrome in the far east Amur region.

"Thank you for inviting us, despite your tight schedule," Kim told Putin during the brief talks.

A meeting ceremony was organized at the main entrance to the assembly and test building of the spaceport to receive the two leaders who are set to inspect the recently built facilities.

Putin arrived at the cosmodrome earlier on Wednesday and was followed by Kim, who traveled to the site via an armored train.

Kim arrived in Russia on Tuesday, on his first international journey since 2019. His first stop was in the Khasan railway station in the Primorsky Region, where Primorsky Krai's Governor, Oleg Kozhemyako, welcomed him, alongside a Russian delegation.

Kim Jong Un has arrived in Russia https://t.co/34769dIX4r
— NK NEWS (@nknewsorg) September 12, 2023

Kozhemyako, in a message through Telegram, noted that alongside Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov, he had held talks with the DPRK leader following the latter's arrival in Russia.

Memorably, the Khasan station holds specific significance in DPRK-Russian relations as it contains a historic landmark known as the Korea-Russia Friendship House, which was established in 1986 in order to commemorate Kim II Sung, Kim Jong Un's grandfather.

Earlier on Monday, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Kim and his Russian counterpart will discuss matters pertaining to bilateral relations, adding that Putin will host an official dinner in honor of Kim's visit.

It is noteworthy that the last time Kim traveled to Russia to meet with Putin was in 2019 when he made a train journey to Vladivostok, Russia's Far East.

This comes a few days after the DPRK commissioned its first nuclear submarine and deployed it to patrol the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. Based on the design, experts suggest the nuclear submarine is likely equipped with ballistic and cruise missiles.