North Korea fires 2 short-range ballistic missiles: Seoul

Seoul: North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Sunday, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, the latest in a series of projectile launches even as the country is on high alert against the coronavirus pandemic.

Both were fired northeastward from the eastern coastal city of Wonsan at 6.10 a.m. within a 20-second interval and flew around 230 km at a maximum altitude of around 30 km, the Seoul-based Yonhap New Agency quoted the JCS as saying, adding that South Korean and US intelligence authorities were analyzing other specifics.

“In a situation where the entire world is experiencing difficulties due to COVID-19, this kind of military act by North Korea is very inappropriate and we call for an immediate halt,” JCS said. The military is closely monitoring the situation while maintaining a readiness posture, it added. North Korea has carried out a series of weapons tests and artillery firing exercises this year. Except for small artillery firing drills, Sunday’s launch is believed to be the North’s fourth major weapons test this year. The last such test came on March 21, when the North fired two short-range ballistic missiles believed to be its version of the US’ Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) from its western county of Sonchon in North Pyongan province, the Yonhap News Agency said in its report. (IANS)

Also Read: North Korean nuclear negotiator appointed as Austria envoy

Also Watch: Coronavirus update: Buddhist Monastery in Naharkatika take extra prevention measures