Kim Jong-un was present during the launch of "various long-range attack vehicles". According to the official news agency of North Korea, "Korean Central News Agency" (Kcna ") Kim stressed the need to strengthen the country's defensive capabilities" to conduct combat tasks and maintain a full war posture, to cope adequately to any emergency as required by the current situation ".
US intelligence then confirmed the launch of "several ballistic missiles".
The launch would take place at 16.30 yesterday - local time - from Sino-ri, a town located approximately 77 kilometers northwest of Pyongyang, in the province of Northern Pyongan. The note from the South Korean general staff speaks of "several bullets" launched from the western North Korean province "towards the east". A Sino-ri is a North Korean missile base for launching Nodong medium-range ballistic missiles. It is probable that the missiles flew over North Korean territory and then sank in the Sea of Japan.
The Defense Ministry of South Korea announced that the tactical weapons launch test carried out by North Korea last 4 in May also employed a new type of "guided weapon". Seoul has not spoken openly about a "ballistic missile", probably in an attempt to avoid a further increase in tension on the Peninsula. The testing of tactical weapons by Pyongyang would in fact, at least in part, constitute a response to a test of the ballistic defense system Thaad (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) carried out by the US and South Korea last week, and harshly contested by Pyongyang .