DPRK test-fires at least 1 ballistic missile from east coast: ROK military

SEOUL -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) test-launched at least one ballistic missile early Monday from the country's east coast, the Republic of Korea (ROK)'s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.

The ballistic missile, which was believed to be of Scud type, was fired at about 5:39 am local time (2039 GMT on Sunday) from the DPRK's Wonsan vicinity, the JCS said in a statement.

The missile flew some 450 km into eastern waters.

An official with the JCS told a regular press briefing later that the exact number of launched missiles was currently under analysis though Pyongyang was assessed to have fired at least one missile.

The missile was lofted to the maximum altitude of some 120 km, indicating a launch at a normal angle. The DPRK often fired a missile at a steep angle to test a technology for the long-range missile development.

The JCS said the ROK and the United States were analyzing details on the missile launch.

It noted that ROK's military was closely watching any possible provocation of the DPRK, while maintaining a full preparedness.

The Monday missile launch marked the third provocation of the DPRK since the new ROK administration was launched earlier this month. It also logged the DPRK's ninth missile test-firing this year.

ROK President Moon Jae-in ordered a meeting of national security council to be held. The meeting was presided over by Moon's top national security advisor Chung Eui-yong.

Meanwhile, the JCS said in a separate statement that the DPRK's repeated provocative acts would cause isolation and make the country face strong punitive actions from the international community.

The statement said that Pyongyang's continued launch of ballistic missiles was in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and was a clear provocation against the ROK, the ROK-US alliance and the international society.

It urged the DPRK to immediately stop any acts that raise tensions in the region, issuing a strong warning against the country.