North Korea fired two ballistic missiles in succession about three hours apart today (September 20), ahead of major diplomatic events including the United Nations General Assembly and a U.S.-China summit.

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the military detected one short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) launched toward the East Sea from around the Wonsan area in North Korea at around 3 p.m. today.

The detected missile flew approximately 450 kilometers.

North Korea then fired an additional SRBM from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea at around 5:50 p.m. today, and that missile flew more than 600 kilometers.

Both missiles launched are presumed to belong to the Hwasong-11 family, North Korea's representative short-range ballistic missile series.

The Hwasong-11 series includes the Hwasong-11Ga (KN-23), often dubbed the North Korean version of the Iskander, and the Hwasong-11Na (KN-24), known as the North Korean version of the ATACMS.

It is understood to be highly likely that North Korea launched the same type of missile with adjusted ranges.

The JCS stated, "South Korea and the U.S. are conducting a detailed analysis regarding the exact specifications," adding that South Korea, the United States, and Japan have been tracking and sharing relevant information from the initial launch stage.

The JCS emphasized, "Under a firm South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture, we are closely monitoring various North Korean movements and maintaining the capability and posture to respond overwhelmingly to any provocation."

The latest launches are interpreted primarily as part of an effort to upgrade conventional military capabilities under the new five-year defense development plan established at the party congress in February.

At that time, North Korea announced under its five-year defense development plan that it would increase the deployment of an "operational-tactical missile complex" designed to deter South Korea.

The move is also seen as an external message that it will continue upgrading its deterrence capabilities in line with its own military-technical requirements.

President Trump ordered a reduction in South Korea-U.S. joint military drills last month and publicly expressed his willingness to pursue a North Korea-U.S. summit.

A senior U.S. official also reaffirmed during a phone briefing on the U.S.-China summit on September 18 local time, "President Trump is ready to engage with Kim Jong-un, whether by phone or in person."

However, North Korea appears to be focusing on building up its military strength without responding to the Trump administration's overtures for dialogue.

Today's ballistic missile launch marks North Korea's 14th this year and comes just eight days after the previous one.

In the previous launch on September 12, North Korea fired several SRBMs from the Wonsan area into the East Sea. Two days later, it disclosed via external media that it was a joint firepower strike drill that "mixed and fired" four weapon systems: tactical ballistic missiles, attack drones, strategic cruise missiles, and large-caliber thermobaric multiple rocket launchers.

Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea who observed the drill at the time, stressed that the ballistic missile launch was a legitimate act for routine training purposes, stating, "The objective is to let the military do what it is supposed to do."

Subsequently, from September 16 to 18, State Affairs Commission President Kim Jong-un visited key munitions factories believed to produce upgraded 600 mm super-large multiple rocket launchers (five-tube), new 240 mm multiple rocket launchers, North Korean versions of Harop drones, and new unmanned aerial vehicles, emphasizing the "building of a powerful artillery force."

The launches are also interpreted as a protest against regional military movements led by the United States with the participation of South Korea, Japan, and other allies.

In a statement released on September 18 by Kim Yo-jong, director of the General Affairs Department of the Workers' Party of Korea, North Korea protested multinational combined maritime drills such as "Pacific Vanguard" hosted by the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet, threatening that "responsive actions bearing proportionality or an offensive nature that surpasses it" are necessary.

Director Kim emphasized in the statement, "Our resolve to defend our sovereignty will be expressed through even clearer actions."

In effect, North Korea carried out that "responsive action" by firing ballistic missiles just two days later.

The ballistic missile launch on September 12 was also conducted at dawn on the day immediately following the conclusion of "Freedom Edge," a regular multidomain exercise conducted by South Korea, the United States, and Japan.