North Korea launches short-range ballistic missiles in East Sea... provocation just before U.S. presidential election

[Anchor]
North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea today.

It has been five days since the test-fire of the new ICBM, the Hwasong-19, and it has launched another provocation just before the U.S. presidential election.

I'm connecting with the reporter. Reporter Lee Jong Won!

Please tell us more about the announcement made by the military.

[Reporter]
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile into the East Sea around 7:30 this morning.

He said several short-range ballistic missiles fired from the Sariwon area in Hwanghae Province were detected.

The missile was found to have flown about 400 kilometers, and considering this, analysts say it appears to be a 600mm super-large multiple rocket launcher.

The military explained that as soon as North Korea fired the missile, it began tracking and monitoring, closely sharing related information with the U.S. and Japanese authorities, and comprehensively analyzing detailed specifications.

North Korea's missile provocation today appears to be intended to emphasize its presence once again, ahead of the main vote for the U.S. presidential election, which begins at 2 p.m. from our perspective.

Earlier on the 31st of last month, five days ago, North Korea also launched intercontinental ballistic missiles and ICBMs into the East Sea.

At the time, North Korea claimed that the peak altitude and flight time were the longest so far and that it was the final ICBM.

Chairman Kim Jong-un, who visited the launch site, also reiterated his intention to never give up the nuclear force strengthening line.

Kim Yo-jong, Kim's younger brother, also claimed in a statement to the Korean Central News Agency today that the South Korea-U.S.-Japan joint air exercises have proven the legitimacy of the nuclear force strengthening line.

It seems that today's missile provocation is also a response to the ROK-US-Japan joint drill.

In a statement, the South Korean military urged the North to stop its threatening activities and once again warned that the North is responsible for all subsequent consequences.

I'm Lee Jongwon of YTN in the political department.