North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) into the East Sea on the morning of the 8th, according to assessments. It was the second straight day of a show of force after the 7th.
According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), several SRBMs that North Korea launched into the East Sea from the Wonsan area around 8:50 a.m. that day flew about 240 km. The South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are conducting a detailed analysis of exact specifications, including altitude.
An official with the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, "The South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities tracked the launch trend and shared related information closely," adding, "We are keeping a close watch on North Korea's various moves and maintaining the capability and posture to respond to any provocation."
North Korea's show of force has continued for two days in a row. Earlier, on the morning of the 7th, North Korea fired an unidentified projectile from near Pyongyang. The projectile reportedly disappeared after showing abnormal signs while flying east. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) was said to be leaning toward the possibility that the projectile launched on the 7th was a ballistic missile. Given that North Korea failed in a missile launch once, there is talk that it may have carried out additional launches that day.
In particular, attention is on the fact that the show of force continued after President Lee Jae-myung expressed regret and after remarks by Director General Kim Yo-jong of the Labor Party. When President Lee expressed regret on the 6th over a civilian-level North Korea-related drone incident, Director General Kim said it "showed the attitude of a candid and bold person." After that, North Korea conducted two shows of force.
Some analysts say this shows that North Korea's "two-state theory" of hostility has not eased.
If the projectile North Korea launched on the 7th is determined to be a ballistic missile, it would be the fifth ballistic missile launched this year. North Korea fired ballistic missiles on Jan. 4 and Jan. 27, and on the 14th of last month it also launched about 10 600 mm super-large multiple rocket launchers from the Sunan area of Pyongyang into the East Sea.