North Korea fires two short-range ballistic missiles about three hours apart

The Associated Press updated its September 20 report, citing South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, to say North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles toward eastern waters from near Wonsan. The first flew about 450 kilometres and the second more than 600 kilometres. Reuters had earlier reported the initial launch notice.

The launches took place about three hours apart and both missiles ended in the sea. This later confirmation replaces the earlier description of the second launch as an unidentified projectile; N Globe has corrected the headline, summary and article accordingly.

South Korea's presidential office convened an emergency national-security meeting and urged North Korea to halt ballistic missile launches banned by U.N. Security Council resolutions. Japan detected the earlier missile and said it did not land in Japanese territorial waters. No casualties were reported.

The launch followed another North Korean drill in mid-September involving short-range missiles, artillery and drones, extending a recent series of weapons displays. North Korea had not publicly explained this launch at publication time, so training, political signalling and weapons validation cannot be presented as confirmed motives.

South Korea's military has identified both projectiles as short-range ballistic missiles launched from the Wonsan area, with approximate ranges of 450 kilometres and more than 600 kilometres. Exact models, payloads, complete flight profiles and test results await further statements.

Verification status: corrected/updated. News value: B-level important news. Origin region: Rest of Asia (North Korea). Primary section: War & military. Related regions: Asia, United States, China and World. This update confirms the second projectile as a short-range ballistic missile and adds its range of more than 600 kilometres. Both models, payloads and purposes remain unknown.