DPRK’s launches may be a continuation of the joint exercises and are contrary to the inter-Korean military agreement, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
Earlier it was reported that the DPRK fired several types of short-range missiles from the Song Dok airfield area in Hamgyeon-Nam-do Province toward the Sea of Japan, with the highest range of about 200 kilometers and an altitude of 50 kilometers.
“The launches this time are most likely a continuation of the joint military exercise on February 28 and March 2, which is a joint artillery exercise using several types of projectiles. We express strong regret over such actions of North Korea, which contradict the (inter-Korean) “military agreement of September 19″ (2018 ), which included an agreement to make efforts to reduce military tensions on the Korean peninsula and establish confidence”, – said the South Korean military.
DPRK conducted the first missile launch in 2020 March 2 at 12.37 towards the Sea of Japan from the region near the port of Wonsan. The missile range was about 240 kilometers, with an altitude of about 35 kilometers. Later, the DPRK stated that DPRK leader Kim Jong-un led the long-range artillery exercises of the Korean People’s Army on the spot, which was a continuation of the joint military exercise held on February 28.
The last time in 2019, the DPRK fired two long-range, large-caliber RDF missiles towards the Sea of Japan was on November 28, 2019. They flew approximately 380 kilometres, with an altitude of 97 kilometres and a time of 30 seconds between two launches. The DPRK later stated that this was the “final test” of a super-large MLRS launcher. The launches were led by DPRK leader Kim Jong-un, who expressed “great satisfaction” with their results.