South Korea and the United States fired two missiles in response to another North Korean test. This was reported on May 25 by the Yonhap agency, citing the South Korean military.
“In response to the provocative ballistic missile launch, the Elephant Walk and joint launches of U.S. and Republic of Korea surface-to-surface missiles were conducted,” the statement said.
It is noted that at present, South Korean and American intelligence services are analyzing information about three projectiles fired from the DPRK in an easterly direction.
According to the South Korean military, the first, presumably, intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) flew about 360 km at a maximum altitude of 540 km, the flight altitude of the second ballistic missile was about 20 km.
The third projectile, presumably a short-range ballistic missile, flew about 760 km at a maximum flight altitude of 60 km.
Earlier Wednesday, North Korea launched three projectiles into the Sea of Japan. The launch took place a day after the end of the summit between South Korea and the United States and was the 17th launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea in 2022.
Two of the three DPRK projectiles, according to Yonhap sources in the defense department, fell outside the economic zone of Japan, the third is a ballistic missile.
North Korea made its previous test of a missile towards the Sea of Japan on May 7. Prior to this, on May 4, the DPRK launched a ballistic missile, the maximum altitude of its flight was about 800 km, and the distance reached about 500 km. It was reported that, presumably, the rocket fell outside the exclusive economic zone of Japan.
In April, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to destroy any force attacking the country, and also pledged to build up and strengthen the state’s nuclear capabilities “at the fastest pace.”
In March, tests of the Hwaseong-17 ICBM were reported. The Japanese Ministry of Defense called the launch the most technically advanced in terms of flight duration and maximum altitude.