North Korea launched short-range ballistic missiles on Wednesday, less than two weeks before the leaders from around the world meet at a summit in South Korea.
It was the communist country’s first missile test since May 8 and its fifth ballistic missile launch this year, according to reports. It marks the first time North Korea has fired such a weapon since the new South Korean President Lee Jae Myung was sworn into office in June. Lee had campaigned on decreasing hostilities between his country and North Korea.
The missiles were fired into the East Sea, according to local media. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles, which were detected shortly after 8 a.m. local time, traveled approximately 217 miles, or 350 kilometers. The JCS announced that it would monitor the situation and remain on alert while also increasing strategic communication with allies Japan and the U.S. JCS officials said they held an emergency meeting with the National Security Office and the Defense Ministry.
“The military will enhance surveillance and vigilance in preparation for possible additional launches,” said South Korea’s JCS.
North Korea’s weapons display came just days before officials from 21 countries, including President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and others, will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Gyeongju, South Korea, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1. It is the first time in 20 years that the summit is in South Korea.
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Representatives from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service called the launch “politically motivated” and said they would issue a measured but appropriate response.
“With the APEC summit just ahead, there is no need to overreact to the North’s attempt to draw attention,” said South Korean politician Park Sun-won. “If we show too much of a response, Pyongyang takes it as validation and repeats similar acts — tomorrow, the day after, or even during the summit itself.”
