N. Korea hurls more missiles amid Pacific ‘firing range’ threats

• North Korea launched two more ballistic missiles off its east coast.
• The launches came only days after North Korea launched an (ICBM).
• Kim’s sister, Yo-Jong, warned against the increased presence of U.S. strategic military assets.

North Korea threatened to transform the Pacific into a “firing range” on Monday after launching two more ballistic missiles off its east coast.

The launches came only days after North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the sea off Japan’s west coast, leading the US to conduct joint air exercises with South Korea and Japan on Sunday.

Following the launches, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, warned US forces to halt military exercises.

Meanwhile, North Korea’s state media announced that two projectiles were launched from a multiple rocket launcher, aimed at targets 395 kilometers (245 miles) and 337 kilometers (209 miles) away, respectively.

Capable of “paralyzing”

“The 600mm multiple rocket launcher mobilized in the firing … is a means of a tactical nuclear weapon,” capable of “paralyzing” an enemy airfield.

The two missiles, launched about 10 p.m. GMT, reached a maximum height of around 100 kilometers and 50 kilometers, respectively, before falling beyond Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he has called an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council over the tests, and the Jiji news agency said the meeting was scheduled for 8 p.m. GMT Monday.

Nevertheless, given Russia and China’s earlier vetoes during the Ukraine crisis and a Sino-US rivalry over Chinese balloons discovered in the US sky, the odds for a new round of UN penalties are bleak.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea strongly condemned the launches as a “grave provocation” that should be stopped immediately.

Seoul’s foreign ministry imposed penalties on four individuals and five businesses tied to Pyongyang’s weapons program on Monday in reaction to the North’s latest ICBM and missile tests, calling it the country’s quickest response to the North’s provocations.

“Our government has made it clear that North Korea’s provocations will not go unchecked. Its repeated provocations will strengthen Seoul’s deterrence and tighten the global sanctions network “In a statement, the ministry stated.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the latest launch did not pose an immediate threat but highlighted the “destabilizing impact” of North Korea’s unlawful weapons programs.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric urged Pyongyang to “immediately desist from taking any further provocative actions” banned under Security Council resolutions, and resume denuclearization dialogue.

Rising tensions

Kim’s sister, Yo-Jong, warned against the increased presence of U.S. strategic military assets following the joint air drills with its Asian allies over the weekend.

“The frequency of using the Pacific as our firing range depends upon the U.S. forces’ action character,” she said in a statement carried by KCNA.

The United States and South Korea are set to hold simulated nuclear tabletop exercises aimed at improving operations of American nuclear assets this week, as well as annual springtime Freedom Shield field training in March.

Pyongyang’s foreign ministry said last week it would respond to the planned exercises with “unprecedentedly persistent, strong counteractions.”

“Tension on the peninsula is likely to reach its peak in coming months as North Korea is accelerating its military actions with higher frequency, and her statement indicates that it would continue impromptu missile tests using the Pacific as its shooting range,” said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.

According to Hong Min, a senior expert at the South Korean Institute for National Unification, Kim’s reference of the Pacific suggests the North will launch additional long-range missiles on a regular basis.

The North’s missile launch on Monday marks its third known weapons test this year, following an unprecedented number of missile launches last year, including ICBMs capable of striking anywhere in the United States.

Yo-Jong also called certain South Korean academics “disgusting” and “dumb” for questioning the reliability of the ICBM capacity, claiming Saturday’s “sudden” test required nine hours of preparation.

The launch took place “at the most appropriate time” considering weather conditions and after U.S. and South Korean scout planes went away, she said.

“They had better rack their brains to take measures to defend themselves, instead of doubting or worrying about other’s technology,” she said.

“We affirm once again that there is no change in our will to make the worst maniacs escalating the tensions pay the price for their action.”

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