North Korea launched an unspecified ballistic missile towards the East Sea, following a short-range missile fired from Pyongyang. The South Korean military reported the back-to-back launches, heightening speculation about the possibility of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). While details about the latest launch are limited, it comes after warnings from South Korea's First Deputy National Security Adviser regarding a potential ICBM launch by North Korea this month. The missile firings also coincide with the aftermath of the second session of the Nuclear Consultative Group between Seoul and Washington. North Korea criticized the meeting as an "open declaration on nuclear confrontation" and condemned the U.S. deployment of significant military assets to the Korean Peninsula in the context of escalating tensions. The recent provocations further strain relations, especially after North Korea terminated the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement, heightening regional concerns. The North's latest ballistic missile launch follows a failed attempt on November 22.
Key Points:
1. North Korea conducted consecutive missile launches, including an unspecified ballistic missile fired towards the East Sea, just hours after launching a short-range missile, raising concerns about the possibility of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
2. The South Korean military's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) confirmed the missile launches without providing specific details on the ballistic missile. The short-range missile, launched from or near Pyongyang, covered approximately 570 km before landing in the East Sea.
3. South Korea's First Deputy National Security Adviser, Kim Tae-hyo, had previously suggested the potential for North Korea to launch an ICBM within the current month.
4. The missile launches occurred shortly after the second session of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) between Seoul and Washington, where both parties agreed to finalize guidelines for a shared nuclear strategy by the middle of the next year.
5. Tensions escalated as North Korea criticized the NCG meeting, labeling it "an open declaration on nuclear confrontation." The missile launches also coincided with heightened tensions following North Korea's termination of the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement and the partial suspension of the deal by Seoul in response to the North's successful launch of a military spy satellite on November 21. The last known ballistic missile launch by North Korea took place on November 22, which appeared to be unsuccessful according to the JCS.
(With Agency Inputs)
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