North Korea reportedly launched multiple unidentified short-range “projectiles” on Saturday.
Word of the firings was reported by South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, which cited South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). Yonhap initially reported that the Communist North fired short-range missiles.
The projectiles were fired from North Korea’s east-coast town of Wonsan in a northeastern direction and reportedly toward the East Sea, the agency said, citing a news release. The launches took place “between 9:06 a.m. and 9:27 a.m.” local time and reportedly flew up to 125 miles, according to the outlet.
People watch a TV showing footage of North Korea’s missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea on Saturday. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joo)
“Our military has been closely watching North Korea’s movements and has maintained a full-fledged posture in close coordination with the U.S.,” the JCS said.
The Pentagon did not confirm the launches for Fox News, saying officials were still looking into the report.
“We are aware of North Korea’s actions tonight. We will continue to monitor as necessary,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement.
“We are aware of North Korea’s actions tonight. We will continue to monitor as necessary.”
— White House press secretary Sarah Sanders
Last month, North Korea test-fired what it called “the new tactical guided weapon,” that appeared to be a guided weapon for ground combat, according to South Korean authorities.
Earlier this year, President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met in Vietnam for their second summit, but negotiations fizzled. The North requested sanctions relief in exchange for partial denuclearization measures. The U.S. balked at the request, insisting sanctions would not be relaxed until complete denuclearization.
The two world leaders had previously met in Singapore in June 2018, with both signing a document promising to work for “complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.”
Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed several topics, including North Korea during a phone conversation Friday, according to a Twitter message from President Trump.
….We discussed Trade, Venezuela, Ukraine, North Korea, Nuclear Arms Control and even the “Russian Hoax.” Very productive talk!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 3, 2019
