North Korea launched more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Thursday, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
The military said it detected the missiles being launched from the Wonsan area at around 12:30 p.m. They flew about 250 kilometers.
The JCS said South Korean and US authorities were conducting a detailed analysis to determine the exact specifications of the missiles. It added that South Korea, the United States and Japan were closely sharing information on the North Korean ballistic missiles and maintaining a readiness posture.
A military official familiar with the matter told The Korea Herald that Thursday's launch involved multiple types of launchers.
"Although the missiles flew roughly the same distance as announced by the JCS, they were launched from different types of launchers, including 600 mm multiple rocket launchers," the official said.
North Korea's 600 mm multiple rocket launcher system is capable of firing projectiles that South Korean and US authorities classify as short-range ballistic missiles.
The official, however, played down comparisons with North Korea's so-called "mixed salvo" tactics, in which different types of missiles and projectiles are fired simultaneously or in quick succession in an attempt to complicate interception by South Korea's missile defense system.
Thursday's launch marked North Korea's 17th ballistic missile launch of the year and its first in 17 days, following its Oct. 12 firing of multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea.
The latest launch came a day after South Korea, the United States and other like-minded partners reaffirmed their commitment to North Korea's denuclearization, amid renewed international pressure on Pyongyang over its nuclear and missile programs.
In a joint statement issued Wednesday, 11 countries and the European Union also welcomed recent sanctions targeting North Korea's overseas workers, cyber activities and military cooperation with Russia, while urging UN member states to fully implement sanctions resolutions against Pyongyang.
flylikekite@heraldcorp.com
