North Korean Missile Launch Toward Western Seas

North Korea launched several projectiles, including short-range missiles, toward its western seas on Tuesday, according to the South Korean military.

At about 1 p.m. local time, short-range ballistic missiles were fired from Chongju, a coastal area in North Korea’s western province of North Pyongan. These missiles traveled roughly 50 miles before landing in the Yellow Sea, reported the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul.

These missiles have an estimated range of around 185 miles. North Korean forces also fired artillery munitions, as stated in the report.

The South Korean military is collaborating with U.S. analysts to investigate specifics of the missile launches.

“We have stepped up surveillance and monitoring in preparation for possible additional launches and are closely sharing related information with the United States and Japan while maintaining a full readiness posture,” a military official was quoted by South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.

This marks North Korea’s first launch since April 19, when it test-fired short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan, known as the East Sea in both Koreas. The Yellow Sea, where the recent missiles fell, is referred to as the West Sea by both North and South Korea.

Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command for comments but has yet to receive a response.

The story is developing, and further updates will be provided.