Three Days After Blame Game Over Landmine Blast... North Korea Launches Ballistic Missile Into East Sea (Comprehensive)

Launch from Wonsan into the East Sea; South Korea, the US, and Japan share intelligence
15th launch this year; first in 13 days since September 20

On the morning of October 3, North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the East Sea.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that "at around 6:30 a.m., a ballistic missile was detected being launched into the East Sea from the Wonsan area of North Korea." Military authorities are currently analyzing the missile's specifications, including its range and characteristics.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff explained that they are "strengthening surveillance and vigilance in preparation for further launches," and that South Korea, the United States, and Japan are closely sharing related information while maintaining readiness posture.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is seated at the Enlarged 4th Plenary Meeting of the 9th Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party held on the 25th. Kim Yo Jong, alternate member of the Party Political Bureau (front right), is also seated. Photo from Korean Central TV, Yonhap News Agency

This launch comes just three days after the South Korean military demanded an apology and responsible action from North Korea, following an incident in which three soldiers were seriously injured by a landmine explosion that occurred south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in the Western Front Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

On September 30, the Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that South Korean soldiers had been injured by a North Korean landmine, and demanded that North Korea halt the ongoing "fortification of the border." In response, Kim Yo Jong, Director of the General Affairs Department of North Korea's Workers' Party, denied any responsibility by claiming, "It is a clear fabrication."

The previous day, Kim Yo Jong also harshly criticized President Lee Jaemyung's Armed Forces Day address and Minister of Unification Jeong Dongyoung's proposal for inter-Korean dialogue in an additional statement.

This marks North Korea's 15th ballistic missile launch this year, and the first in 13 days since the previous one on September 20. At that time, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) from the Wonsan area, and two days later announced that these were test launches of the "Hwasongpho-11ma-1" hypersonic missile.

The Hwasongpho-11ma-1 is evaluated as a missile that mounts a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) warhead on a KN-23 series launcher, designed to evade missile defense systems through low-altitude flight and irregular maneuvers.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.