South Korea says North Korea fired a new missile into the sea

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch from an area in or around Pyongyang at around 2:55 p.m. local time. The missile flew about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) before plunging into the sea. It was North Korea's first missile launch in 2024 amid rising tensions in the region.

North Korea test-fired a weapon using a new high-thrust solid-fuel engine in November 2023. Photo: KCNA

The JCS said it has shared data on North Korea's missiles with the United States and Japan and is conducting an analysis of their specifications. Last month, South Korea, the United States and Japan fully activated a system to share real-time North Korean missile warning data.

Last week, South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won Sik said North Korea could test-fire a new type of IRBM as early as this month, after testing a solid-fuel engine for an IRBM last November.

South Korean officials believe the solid-fuel IRBM being developed by North Korea is capable of striking US military bases in Japan and Guam. IRBMs have a range of up to 5,500 km.

Solid-fuel missiles are known to be harder to detect before launch than liquid-fuel missiles, which require more preparation, such as fuel injection.

North Korea's missile launches and South Korea's military exercises with the United States and Japan have heightened tensions in the region. On January 7, North Korea conducted artillery fire drills near the maritime border between the two countries.

The incident prompted South Korea to hold live-fire drills from the northwestern border islands of Baengnyeong and Yeonpyeong for the first time in more than six years.

Hoang Anh (according to Kyodo, Reuters)

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