North Korea fires about a dozen missiles as tensions with South Korea rise

North Korea fired about a dozen short-range ballistic missiles towards the sea off its east coast on Thursday, October 29, as tensions with South Korea continue to rise over a disputed landmine explosion along the inter-Korean border.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were launched from the Wonsan area on North Korea’s eastern coast at around 12:30pm local time.

The missiles travelled approximately 250km, with South Korean and US authorities continuing to analyse their specifications.

Japan also detected the launch, with Japanese authorities reporting that the projectile or projectiles appeared to have fallen outside the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

Launch follows South Korean offer for military talks

The missile launch came about a week after South Korea proposed holding military talks with North Korea in an effort to reduce tensions along the border.

Seoul has sought discussions over disagreements surrounding the Military Demarcation Line and growing military activity within the Demilitarized Zone.

North Korea has not accepted the proposal.

South Korea’s presidential National Security Office held an emergency meeting following Thursday’s launch and called on Pyongyang to halt what it described as provocations.

Seoul also said ballistic missile launches by North Korea violate United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Dispute over September landmine explosion

Tensions between the two Koreas have intensified since a landmine explosion inside the DMZ on September 21 injured three South Korean soldiers.

Two of the soldiers sustained serious injuries.

A joint investigation by South Korea and the United Nations Command later concluded that North Korean antipersonnel mines were responsible for the explosion.

South Korea said evidence showed the mines had been deliberately planted south of the Military Demarcation Line as part of North Korea’s border fortification activities.

Seoul has demanded an apology and called on North Korea to remove remaining mines from the area.

North Korea denies responsibility

Pyongyang has rejected South Korea’s findings.

North Korea has accused Seoul of attempting to blame it for the explosion and has warned against actions it considers violations of its sovereignty.

North Korea’s UN Ambassador Kim Song also raised the dispute in a letter to the UN Security Council, accusing South Korea of making unfounded claims.

Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has separately rejected Seoul’s demands for an apology.

Military activity increases along border

The latest missile launch comes amid increased military activity along the border.

North Korea has been reinforcing sections of its side of the DMZ with fences, barriers and landmines, while South Korea has been closely monitoring potential crossings of the Military Demarcation Line.

A North Korean self-propelled artillery piece was also recently observed near the western section of the border, although South Korea’s military said it appeared to be an older system and described its deployment as largely symbolic.

Thursday’s launch was North Korea’s second ballistic missile launch this month, following a test on October 12.

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