North Korea fired a ballistic missile into waters off its eastern coast on Saturday, October 3, after South Korea called on Pyongyang to apologise over a landmine explosion that injured three South Korean soldiers in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ).
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile was launched from the Wonsan area on the country’s east coast and travelled more than 700 kilometres towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.
South Korean, US and Japanese authorities were sharing information on the launch and maintaining a heightened state of readiness, Seoul’s military said. The precise type and other characteristics of the missile were still being analysed.
The launch came amid heightened tensions over a landmine blast inside the DMZ last month. Three South Korean soldiers were injured while clearing a patrol route, with two reportedly suffering serious injuries.
A joint investigation by South Korea’s military and the US-led United Nations Command concluded that mines planted by North Korean troops were responsible for the explosion. Pyongyang, however, has denied responsibility.
South Korea has described the incident as a clear violation of the 1953 armistice agreement and called on North Korea to apologise. Seoul also urged Pyongyang to halt mine-laying activities and the construction of military infrastructure along the border.
South Korean Defence Minister Kang Shin-chul said the mines may have been planted as part of North Korea’s efforts to strengthen security along its border.
The DMZ, established under the 1953 armistice, separates the two Koreas and is about four kilometres wide. It remains heavily fortified and contains large numbers of landmines.
Tensions have increased since North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared South Korea his country’s “principal enemy” in 2024. Pyongyang has since taken steps to further isolate the two countries, including laying mines and constructing obstacles intended to impede military movements along the border.
North Korea has rejected Seoul’s allegations over the mine blast. On Friday, Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader’s powerful sister, dismissed Pyongyang’s involvement and criticised South Korea.
Analysts cited by AFP said the latest missile launch appeared to be a demonstration of strength in response to Seoul’s diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.
Yang Moo-jin, a former president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told AFP that while South Korea had called for reduced tensions, North Korea had responded by escalating them.
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