North Korea fired eight missiles at four locations after South Korea and U.S. carrier exercises were over... military condemnation

North Korea fired eight short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) for 35 minutes into the East Sea from four locations, including Sunan, Pyongyang, on the 5th, just one day after South Korea and the United States completed joint exercises using aircraft carriers.

In fact, it is the first time that eight ballistic missiles have been fired at once, and it is analyzed that it is a reaction against the South Korea-U.S. joint exercise, along with the intention to show off the ability to strike multiple targets at the same time and to neutralize the South Korea-US missile defense network.

President Yoon Seok-yeol ordered the continued strengthening of the ROK-U.S. extended deterrence and combined defense posture, including the South Korea-U.S. missile defense exercise.

Military authorities also strongly condemned the missile launch.

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korea fired eight SRBMs into the East Sea from about 9:08 a.m. to 9:43 a.m. today from four locations: Sunan in Pyongyang, Gaecheon in South Pyongan Province, Dongchang-ri in North Pyongan Province, and Hamhung in South Hamgyong Province.

These ballistic missiles were detected with a flight range of about 110-670 km, an altitude of about 25-90 km, and a speed of Mach 3-6.

It is observed that the North Korean version of the Iskander (KN-23), the North Korean version of the Atacms (KN-24), and the super-large multiple rocket launcher (KN-25), which are three short-range sets, were fired simultaneously.

The US and South Korea are closely analyzing the specific specifications of the ballistic missile.

"Our military is maintaining a fully prepared readiness posture while closely cooperating with South Korea and the United States while strengthening surveillance and vigilance in preparation for additional launches," the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Won-cheol Won, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had a videoconference with Combined Forces Commander Paul Lacamera shortly after North Korea's ballistic missile launch and closely shared the situation.

"Chairman Won and Commander Lacamera confirmed the combined defense capability and readiness to immediately detect and intercept any North Korean missile provocation," the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

"We strongly condemn North Korea's recent launch of ballistic missiles as a serious provocation that harms the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula as well as the international community," he said.

Immediately after North Korea's SRBM launch, the Presidential Office convened the National Security Council (NSC) Standing Committee chaired by Kim Seong-han, Director of the National Security Office.

After receiving a report on the results of the NSC Standing Committee, President Yoon ordered "continue to strengthen the ROK-U.S. extended deterrence and combined defense posture, including the ROK-U.S. missile defense training, while firmly maintaining the readiness posture at all times."

North Korea's launch of a ballistic missile today is the third provocation since the inauguration of the Yun Seok-yeol administration and the 18th armed protest this year alone.

It has been 11 days since the 25th of last month, a mixture of three intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and SRBMs.

Given the fact that firing missiles from multiple locations at the same time makes it difficult to strike or intercept the origin, today's provocation is interpreted as an intention to show off military capabilities that can strike multiple targets simultaneously, including South Korea.

In particular, North Korea conducted an armed demonstration one day after the ROK and U.S. naval forces completed a joint exercise involving the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan near Okinawa, Japan.

Experts analyzed that there was also a reactionary nature to this training.

For the ROK-U.S. joint exercise held from the 2nd to the 4th, the ROK Navy mobilized the Pacific Rim Training Squadron and the US Navy mobilized the 5th Carrier Strike Group (CSG), which consisted of carriers, etc.

It is the first time in four years and seven months since November 2017 that the two countries have mobilized nuclear-powered aircraft carriers for a joint exercise.

North Korea has reacted extremely sensitively to the South Korea-US joint exercise and has resisted it.

Earlier, at their summit on the 21st of last month, President Yoon Seok-yeol and President Biden agreed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance and strengthen the executive power of extended deterrence. Agreed.

This year, North Korea has continued to escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula by provoking an average of once every 9 days, including 6 ICBMs until the 24th of last month.

In particular, the military authorities believe that most of the preparations for the 7th nuclear test have recently been completed and only Chairman Kim Jong-un's timing decision is left.

Shin Jong-woo, an expert research fellow at the Korea Defense Security Forum, said, "North Korea has also launched three or four ballistic missiles simultaneously in the past, demonstrating its ability to strike multiple targets simultaneously, including the Korean Peninsula and US bases in Japan. It seems to have a great purpose, and it is not intended to launch a test or inspection, but to show off the capabilities of the ballistic missile unit and increase military tension.”

He said, "It seems that it is the first time that North Korea has fired eight missiles at the same time," he said.