South Korea Launches Multiple Missiles Shortly After North Korean ICBM Test

By Donald Standeford, Correspondent - Follow -
Date Published: March 24, 2022 01:30PM UTC
Last Modified: March 24, 2022 01:30PM UTC

SOUTH KOREA - Shortly after North Korea launched its ICBM, South Korea launched multiple missiles in response to the launch with some of its 'key missiles' including a ground to ground missile, an Army Tactical Missile, a ship to ground missile and two air to surface missiles. *Note* the South Korean Launches were not aimed at North Korea, which is clearly stated in the article.

South Korea, as well as the United States have condemned the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) launch by North Korea and vowed close coordination for "stern responses" according to the South Korean Foreign Ministry.

South Korean officials pointed out that North Korea's ICBM launch was a 'clear violation' of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The South Korean foreign ministry stated, referring to the United Nations, "They agreed (the North's) latest launch poses serious threat not only to the Korean Peninsula but also to the international community and it requires stern responses. They urged North Korea to immediately cease further destabilizing acts".

North Korea had fired an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) toward the East Sea on Thursday, according to South Korea's military, ending a self-imposed 'moratorium' on nuclear and long-range missile testing, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) stated that they detected the launch from the Sunan airfield in Pyongyang at 2:34 p.m. and that the missile flew around1,080 kilometers, or about 671 miles at a peak altitude of about 6,200 kilometers, or about 3,853 miles.

The JCS said that the ICBM launch looks to have been at a 'lofted angle', and another South Korean military official said that the missile flew for at least 70 minutes.

In a text message the JCS sent to reporters they stated, "For other specifics on the missile, the intelligence authorities of South Korea and the United States are conducting a detailed analysis".

Shortly after North Korea conducted their ICBM test, South Korea conducted a joint live-fire exercise involving some of its key missiles -- a Hyunmoo-2 ground-to-ground missile and one Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile as well as a Haesung-II ship-to-ground missile and two JDAM air-to-surface missiles -- according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Yonhap South Korean news agency.

"It has been confirmed that in case of North Korea's missile launch, (we) have the ability and posture to precisely strike the origin of the missile launch and command and support facilities at any time", the South Korean Joint Chiefs Of Staff also said.

The JCS condemned the ICBM launch by North Korea, saying that it poses a serious challenge to the South Korean military, as well as the alliance between South Korea and the United States.

Meanwhile, Washington strongly condemned the missile launch by North Korea, calling on the country to "immediately cease its destabilizing actions".

Press Secretary Jen Psaki put out a statement regarding the launch saying, "This launch is a brazen violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions and needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region. The door has not closed on diplomacy, but Pyongyang must immediately cease its destabilizing actions".

In another statement, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command urged North Korea to refrain from further 'destabilizing' actions. Its press release said, "The United States remains prepared to defend the U.S. homeland and our allies. The U.S. commitment to the defense of the ROK [official name of South Korea] and Japan remains ironclad".

According to South Korea's Yonhap news agency, today's launch was not the first time North Korea tested the Hwasong-17 ICBM. On February 27th, and March 5th, North Korea reportedly used the Pyongyang airfield to test the missile, which is nicknamed the 'monster' missile due to its large size.

The Hwasong-17 ICBM is believed to carry multiple warheads and have a range that exceeds 13,000 kilometers, or roughly 8,077 miles.