‘Around a dozen’: North Korea fires ballistic missiles towards Japan Sea as tensions flare with South

(Representative image: ANI)

North Korea fired around a dozen short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Thursday, South Korea’s defence ministry said, amid increasing animosity between Pyongyang and Seoul caused by tensions along the border.South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the launches were detected in the Wonsan area, with “around a dozen short-range ballistic missiles heading towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.“Our military has stepped up surveillance and vigilance against possible additional launches,” the JCS said in a statement.South Korea’s presidential office held an emergency meeting later and urged Pyongyang to halt such actions.Earlier, Japan’s defence ministry detected an object launch, calling it a possible ballistic missile.“An object that may be a ballistic missile has been launched from North Korea. JMOD/JSDF will provide updates as soon as further information becomes available,” Japan’s defence ministry said in a post on X.“It is estimated that the object had already fallen”, the ministry added in another post.The Prime Minister’s Office later outlined several measures in response to the suspected ballistic missile launch, including gathering and analysing information, ensuring the safety of aircraft, vessels and other assets, and taking precautionary measures to prepare for possible contingencies, according to a provisional translation of its statement.The office also stressed the need to provide the public with information in a timely and appropriate manner.Tensions between the two Koreas have risen following landmine blasts last month that injured three South Korean soldiers. Seoul has accused North Korea of planting mines south of the military demarcation line, leading to the September 21 explosions. Pyongyang has denied responsibility and warned of retaliation if provoked.Last week, North Korea said it would resume propaganda broadcasts along the front line and deploy new weapons systems near the heavily fortified border. South Korea subsequently proposed talks to clarify the border line and prevent accidental clashes, but North Korea has yet to respond.