South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported that the launch took place from near Pyongyang at around 1 p.m. 7.50 local time (11.50 p.m. on Saturday in Poland). The missiles covered a distance of nearly 900 km, eventually landing in the sea.
“Our military maintains a posture of high alert by closely sharing information on North Korea's ballistic missiles with the U.S. and Japanese sides under increased surveillance,” the JCS said in a statement.
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Why did North Korea fire missiles?
When did the ballistic missile test take place?
What was the information about the missiles' trajectories?
Who is the Venezuelan leader who was detained?
The Japanese Ministry of Defense said that the missiles most likely fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone after about 18 minutes.
North Korea and the detention of Nicolas Maduro
Sunday's tests coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a major military operation. According to analysts, this event could have provoked Pyongyang's reaction.
“US strike in Venezuela and capture of President Maduro may send (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Un “a strong signal that constitutes an existential threat and a justification for maintaining nuclear weapons.” – said Lim Eul-chul, professor at the Institute of Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University, quoted by Yonhap Agency.
The test took place a few hours before South Korean President Li's flight to China to meet Xi.
Pyongyang's recent actions are part of Kim's increased military activity. Recently he visited a nuclear submarine shipyard, oversaw cruise missile tests and ordered increased production of missiles and tactical weapons.
Pyongyang conducted its last missile test on November 7 last year.
