Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

North Korea fires two short-range projectiles: Cheong Wa Dae calls for discontinuance, expresses strong concerns

Cheong Wa Dae held an emergency National Security Council meeting 

North Korea fired two unidentified projectiles in a northeastern direction over the East Sea, from a location near Wonsan
Projectiles flew about 240 kilometers, with a maximum altitude of 35 kilometers
Military working on an analysis of the details of the weapons, while keeping an eye out for developments 

Following the North’s launch of two unidentified projectiles, on March 2, Cheong Wa Dae expressed “strong concern” and called for the “discontinuance” of the activity at an emergency meeting of security-related ministers.

National Security Office Director Chung Eui-yong convened an emergency meeting with National Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon via videoconference. At the meeting, they analyzed the background and intention behind the North’s staging of the joint strike drills carried out on February 28, combined with the launch of two short-range projectiles later in the day, while discussing the overall military security circumstances surrounding the Korean Peninsula in recent months.

Significantly, the ministers expressed strong concern that the North has triggered military tensions with its continued joint strike drills in the vicinity of Wonsan, as well as the resumption of its launch of short-range projectiles three months after its launch in late November last year.

In the meantime, they urged the North to halt such acts, describing them as not helpful to the efforts to ease military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The ministers also decided to analyze the details of the projectiles through close cooperation between the intelligence authorities of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States (US).

Meanwhile, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement that it had detected two short-range projectiles launched in a northeastern direction over the East Sea from an area near Wonsan, at around 12:37 PM on Monday.

The projectiles were detected as flying about 240 kilometers at an altitude of 35 kilometers.

A military official said that the military is analyzing these short-range projectiles by comparing them with the short-range ballistic missiles (SRMB) launched last year. “Keeping an eye on the situation, the military has detected the launches using some of the available detection measures, including ballistic missile early warning radar systems and Aegis destroyers. The military is currently monitoring the situation while maintaining its readiness posture in preparation for additional launches,” the official added.

Regarding the North’s intent with these launches, most see these moves as a way for the regime to consolidate its power over the North Korean people while letting the outside world know that Kim Jong-un’s leadership remains undiminished amid the deadlocks of multiple negotiations surrounding the North, while some see them as follow-through on the North’s statement last year on strengthening its military power.

By Joo-Hyeong, Lee < jataka@dema.mil.kr >
By Su-Yeol, Maeng <guns13@dema.mil.kr >
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