North Korea on the 26th was assessed to have launched various projectiles, including close-range ballistic missiles (CRBMs), into the West Sea. It was North Korea's provocation 37 days after the 19th of last month and the eighth this year. Analysis on the missiles says Pyongyang likely conducted live-fire training after deploying the new weapons system "Hwasong-11ra."
According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), North Korea around 1 p.m. that day fired several types of projectiles, including CRBMs, into the West Sea from around Chongju, North Pyongan Province. The detected ballistic missile flew about 80 kilometers. U.S. and South Korean intelligence authorities are analyzing the exact specifications of the projectiles. Missiles with a range of 300 kilometers or less are classified as CRBMs. Missiles that fly more than 300 kilometers are categorized as short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs).
A the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) official said, "The military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for additional launches, while South Korea, the United States, and Japan are closely sharing information related to North Korea's ballistic missiles and maintaining full readiness."
That day's missile launch by North Korea took place 37 days after the 19th of last month. On the morning and afternoon of the 19th of last month, North Korea fired several CRBMs into the East Sea from around Sinpo, South Hamgyong Province. Korean Central News Agency claimed that five "Hwasong-11ra" missiles struck an area of 12.5–13 hectares on an island 136 kilometers away with a very high density. That is equivalent to the size of 18 soccer fields, and Seoul as well as Osan Air Base and Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek all fall within range.
At the time, with all corps commanders of the forward 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th corps observing, there was an assessment that this signaled an intent to deploy to North Korea's front-line units. Analysis says the day's launch is a continuation of that. Shin Jong-woo, secretary-general of the Korea Defense and Security Forum (KODEF), said, "It is presumed to be live-fire training after the deployment of the Hwasong-11ra."
In addition, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said that day it detected "multiple projectiles." This means there were projectiles other than CRBMs, and Secretary-General Shin said, "Given that North Korea's new multiple rocket launcher can mount the Hwasong-11ra, it is presumed they fired various rounds, including CRBMs and large-caliber multiple rocket launcher rounds."
Earlier, on the 8th of last month, it also launched several SRBMs. Regarding the launch on the 8th, North Korea claimed it conducted a cluster munition test launch with the SRBM "Hwasong-11ga" with a range of 700 kilometers, devastating an area of about 6.5–7 hectares. On the previous day, the 7th, it also launched an unidentified projectile, which the military authorities assessed disappeared after showing abnormal signs in the early stage of flight. North Korea also carried out ballistic missile provocations on Jan. 4 and 27 and Mar. 14.