The South Korean Armed Forces have warned that North Korea has carried out the launch of a fourth missile into the waters of the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, shortly after launching an intercontinental missile and two short-range missiles that could have the capability of carrying nuclear warheads.
The South Korean government, which has not detailed the characteristics of this latest ballistic test, has warned that the missiles launched earlier could have nuclear capabilities and could travel thousands of kilometers.
The first missile launched on Thursday is an intercontinental projectile, while the other two are short-range missiles and would have been fired from Kaechon, which is located about 90 kilometers from the capital, Pyongyang.
However, South Korean authorities are considering the possibility that the short-range missiles are actually medium-range missiles, according to information from the Yonhap news agency.
Both long-range and intermediate-range missiles can carry nuclear warheads. The resolutions approved by the United Nations prohibit North Korea from carrying out ballistic tests with projectiles of this range.
Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said that the first of the missiles flew over Japanese territory before falling into the waters of the Sea of Japan. He also warned that one of the missiles has disappeared from the Army’s radars, a matter that is already under investigation.
North Korea regularly accuses the United States of preparing attacks alongside South Korean forces in the region, something that has been rejected by both sides. Washington currently has some 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea.
