JCS: "North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile Toward East Sea"

▲ Ballistic missile launch (File photo)

South Korea's military detected North Korea firing a ballistic missile toward the East Sea on the morning of Saturday, October 3.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced, "At around 6:30 a.m., we detected a ballistic missile launched into the East Sea from around the Wonsan area in North Korea."

Military authorities are currently analyzing specifications such as the ballistic missile's flight range and type.

The JCS stated, "While our military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for additional launches, South Korea, the United States, and Japan are maintaining a full readiness posture while closely sharing information regarding the 'North Korean ballistic missile.'"

North Korea's ballistic missile launch comes 13 days after its previous launch.

The launch came after the South Korean military announced that a landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone along the western front on September 21 was caused by a North Korean military mine.

Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued consecutive statements yesterday denying responsibility for the landmine explosion, questioning why anyone would imagine North Korea doing something to get entangled with South Korea, and mocked President Lee Jae-myung for trying to play the role of a "righteous protagonist."

She also dismissed Unification Minister Chung Dong-young's proposal to meet to discuss standards for the Military Demarcation Line and other matters, calling it "a delusion and grumbling not even worth responding to."

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