CNN —
North Korea has launched two ballistic missiles into the waters off the east coast of the Korean peninsula, officials said – the country’s last missile launch in recent days.
Japan’s Defense Ministry said officials were still analyzing the data but estimated that both missiles were fired around 7:00 a.m. local time Monday and impacted the Sea of Japan “in the east of the Korean peninsula outside of Japan’s exclusive economic zone,” the statement said.
North Korea acknowledged the incident, calling it an “oversized exercise involving multiple rocket launchers that is a vehicle for a tactical nuclear attack.” The country said the exercise was in response to the combined United States and South Korean air forces.
Both countries conducted joint air training on Sunday, South Korea’s defense ministry is saying, after North Korea warned on Friday of “unprecedented strong responses” if military exercises were held.
US Air Force B-1B strategic bombers have been deployed to the Korean peninsula with an escort support of F-35As, F-15Ks and F-16s from the South Korean and US air forces, the South Korean Defense Ministry said.
“Through the timely and prompt deployment of the U.S. expanded deterrent force to the Korean Peninsula, the two demonstrated SK-US’ combined defense capability and posture through the alliance’s overwhelming force and enhanced combined operational capability,” the ministry statement said.
Washington and Seoul are also expected to hold nuclear tabletop exercises at the Pentagon this week, South Korea’s defense ministry said on Friday. The Allies plan to hold more military exercises on the Korean peninsula next month.
State media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) report on the launch said the Korean People’s Army (KPA) mobilized two 600mm radial cannons and fired several projectiles. South Korea considers multiple rocket launchers larger than 600mm as ballistic missiles.
The Japanese Ministry of Defense reported that the first missile was launched around 6:59 a.m. local time and flew about 400 km (248 miles) at a maximum altitude of about 100 km (62 miles). The second missile was launched around 7:10 a.m. local time at a maximum altitude of about 50 km (31 miles).
The Japan Coast Guard said in an earlier statement on its official website that North Korea had fired three suspected ballistic missiles, but South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff said only two short-range ballistic missiles were detected.
The Japan Coast Guard issued a warning to ships Monday morning local time, advising them to “look out for more information.” The agency also urged ships to stay clear of falling objects and report sightings to the Coast Guard.
Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and one of the country’s top officials, released a statement Monday around the time of the alleged missile launch.
Kim said in the statement, released on KCNA, that North Korea has “satisfactory technology and capabilities” for missile re-entry and now only needs to “focus on increasing the number of armed forces.”
“Instead of doubting or worrying about the technologies of others, it would be better to think more carefully about countermeasures to defend yourself,” Kim said.
She also said that if North Korea saw the presence of US forces in the region as a threat, they would take “appropriate action,” adding, “The frequency of using the Pacific Ocean as a firing range depends on the nature of the US.” from actions of the military.”
A day before the incident, North Korea admitted it conducted a test of an ICBM on Saturday, the third known test of the long-range weapon in less than a year.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency said a Hwasong-15 ICBM was fired in a “surprise exercise to launch an ICBM” on written orders from leader Kim Jong Un.
According to the KCNA report, the rocket flew 989 kilometers (614 miles) in almost 67 minutes to an altitude of 5,768.5 kilometers (3,584 miles).
The test is proof of Pyongyang’s ability to launch a “deadly nuclear counterattack against enemy forces” and “clear evidence of the assured reliability of our powerful physical nuclear deterrent.”